Chicago Bulls power forward Bobby Portis will enter restricted free agency next summer after he and the team were unable to agree upon a rookie scale contract extension. However, Portis doesn't envision leaving Chicago.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday at The Advocate Center, Portis said he has a special connection with The Windy City and Bulls DNA in his body. The 23-year-old is a blue-collar player who leaves it all on the line every game, something the fans in Chicago appreciate.
Bobby Portis even stronger on wanting to stay in Chicago: "I couldn’t see myself in any other jersey. Obviously, I got Bulls DNA. Me and the city have a love connection somewhere. I just enjoy playing for the Bulls."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) October 16, 2018
Portis will make $2.5 million this season. As a restricted free agent, Portis can sign an offer sheet with any team after July 1, 2019 and then the Bulls will have 48 hours to match the offer or let him walk. Shooting guard Zach LaVine was a restricted free agent this offseason and signed a offer sheet with the Sacramento Kings. The Bulls quickly matched it.
Chicago drafted Portis with the 22nd overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. In 73 regular-season games last year, Portis averaged 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 47.1 percent from the field, 35.9 percent from beyond the arc and 76.9 percent from the free-throw line. Portis’ 2017-18 season got off to a rocky start. He punched former Bull Nikola Mirotic in a practice fight during training camp and was suspended for the first eight games of the season.
It appears Portis will start for the Bulls to open the season while second-year forward Lauri Markkanen recovers from a right elbow injury. Chicago native Jabari Parker was supposed to be the starter, but Portis outplayed Parker in the preseason, and Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg has said he likes how Parker has played with the second unit.
Bobby Portis and the Bulls open the 2018-19 season on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.
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