Spurs linked to trade for $43 million ex-Knicks forward, NBA champion after crushing Finals loss

For the most part, the San Antonio Spurs’ starting lineup is rock solid, but they could make some second-unit reinforcements this summer.

Could trading for a 31-year-old ex-New York Knicks forward and NBA champion known for his valuable contributions as a stretch four be a roster-bolstering offseason move for San Antonio? CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn’s answer to that question is an emphatic yes.

“The cheap, bench-specific option is (Bobby) Portis,” Quinn wrote last Sunday. “He's not much of a defender anymore, and his rebounding has slipped as well, but those aren't huge concerns next to Wembanyama.”

“He can still shoot, and he can still screen, nice traits for a backup power forward on this roster. His contract should fit into the mid-level exception, and the Bucks probably wouldn't need much for him.”

Portis finished second in the NBA this past season in perimeter shooting production, connecting on 45.6 of his triples in 67 contests on a struggling 32-50 Bucks squad (Luke Kennard finished first with a 47.8% three-point shooting percentage). 

This isn’t the first time Portis has shot above 40% of his triples in the big league, as he was a 40.3% three-point sniper with the Washington Wizards in 2018-19, a scorching 47.1% knockdown shooter on the Bucks’ 2020-21 championship squad, and a 40.7% sharpshooter with Milwaukee in 2023-24.

Needless to say, the Arkansas product can space the floor at a high level, making a respectable low-cost target for a Spurs squad that could use a three-point shooting boost off the bench in 2026-27.

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