Bucks Refused to Include $43 Million Forward in Trade Talks: Report

Dec 27, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) slaps hands with forward Bobby Portis (9) during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly rejected overtures to ditch a critical forward in recent trade discussions.

Milwaukee is retooling on the fly after ditching nine-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard by signing-and-waiving the rest of his $112.6 million contract.

More news: Bucks' Bobby Portis Explains Decision to Re-Sign with Milwaukee in Free Agency

According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Bucks apparently have considered a sign-and-trade for embattled Golden State Warriors power forward Jonathan Kuminga, a restricted free agent this summer. But there's been one hang-up.

"It is also worth mentioning that the Milwaukee Bucks were another team that kicked around the idea of pursuing Kuminga," Siegel writes "If they were to do so, the Warriors made it known they would want Bobby Portis in a sign-and-trade scenario, which is something Milwaukee wasn't willing to do."

More news: Bobby Portis Has Surprising Explanation for Bucks' Recent Playoff Struggles

Kuminga has been striving to get moved out of town this summer. The 6-foot-8 pro, who won a championship as a rookie in 2022, has struggled to carve out a consistent role on head coach Steve Kerr's rotation.

Golden State, too, seems to be hoping it can offload the 22-year-old for some win-now value, but hasn't found a possible sign-and-trade deal it likes just yet. The Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns have apparently been the most interested candidates in Kuminga's services, but the Warriors have appeared apathetic about their potential hauls.

Kuminga is an athletic, intriguing talent, but he has struggled to develop much of a long range stroke. In just 47 healthy games last season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points on .454/.305/.668 shooting splits, 4.6 boards, 2.2 dimes and 0.8 steals. The Warriors' midseason trade for Jimmy Butler shifted Kuminga even further down the team's totem pole as it returned to fringe contender status.

This summer, Golden State appears poised to sign a legitimate, traditional center/power forward in 39-year-old 3-and-D veteran Al Horford, but the team is waiting to figure out its Kuminga situation first. Free agent guards De'Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II, both Warriors alums, have also been linked to Golden State during the offseason. But Golden State needs to figure out its Kuminga situation before anything else.

Portis could have been an intriguing fit for the Warriors. A good 3-point shooting big man, he's not much of a defender, but could help stretch the floor in exciting five-out lineups. Horford can supply that, too, but having Portis available as well could give Kerr even more rotational flexibility.

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