Bucks' Bobby Portis Reacts to Being 1 of 2 Remaining Players from 2021 Champs

Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) blocks the shot of Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

After Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst traded away former three-time All-Star small forward Khris Middleton at the 2024-25 trade deadline, flipped former reserve shooting guard Pat Connaughton during the offseason and let center Brook Lopez walk in free agency this summer, only two players remain from the team's championship run in 2020-21.

Milwaukee Bucks champion power forward/center Bobby Portis is now one of just two remaining players from the club's 2021 championship roster, alongside nine-time All-NBA power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

During a recent interview with ESPN Milwaukee, Portis reacted to his status as one of the last champion Bucks standing — just four years later.

"I won one before. Excuse my French, but that s--- doesn't start in April, bro, it starts in September," Portis said of the Bucks' title aspirations in 2025-26. "...being one of the last two that's here — I hate saying that — but being with Giannis [who's] still here, not having to leave, I'm excited for that just in general, besides basketball."

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Portis declined his player option for this coming season and became a free agent this summer, ultimately agreeing to a three-year, $43.6 million deal to stay with the Bucks. He has a $15.6 million player option for the 2027-28 season.

"A Passion" for Milwaukee

"I've got a passion for the city, for real," Portis added. "When you do something for a town, when a town accepts you like it's accepted me, when you get a chance to just be yourself everyday, it's hard finding a team bro. It's finding a home in sport. Not just in basketball, but any pro team."

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Last year was a fraught season for Portis.

The 6-foot-10 Arkansas product was hit with a 25-game suspensions after inadvertently violating the NBA's banned substances policy, which effectively killed his chances of earning a Sixth Man of the Year award on the 48-34 Bucks.

Nobody's expecting the 2025-26 vintage of the team to compete for Portis' and Antetokounmpo's second title in town. Milwaukee stretched-and-waived nine-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, whose Achilles tendon tear threatens to keep him sidelined for the entire season.

Horst used the bonus cap space to sign free agent 3-and-D center Myles Turner to a four-year, $108.9 million deal. Milwaukee has also brought in free agent guards Cole Anthony and Gary Harris on veteran contracts, plus swingman Amir Coffey on a training camp agreement.

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This story will be updated...