Warriors Pursue Bobby Portis Amid Giannis Trade Rumors

The NBA trade deadline always brings a flurry of rumors, speculation, and last-minute negotiations, but this season’s chatter has reached a fever pitch as the Golden State Warriors emerge as a frontrunner in the blockbuster sweepstakes for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Yet, as the league’s eyes turn to the possibility of the former MVP donning Warriors blue and gold, another name has steadily climbed up the rumor mill—Bobby Portis, the Bucks’ reliable sixth man and sharpshooting forward.

On January 30, 2026, reports from ESPN’s Anthony Slater and other league insiders confirmed that the Warriors’ interest in Portis is more than just a passing fancy. The potential trade for Antetokounmpo could see Golden State absorbing one of Milwaukee’s veterans with long-term contracts—specifically, Portis, who has three years and $43.5 million left on his deal, or perhaps Kyle Kuzma, who is owed $42.7 million over the next two years. Salary matching, always a sticking point in NBA trades, would be a critical factor in any deal involving Giannis, and Portis’s contract fits the bill.

But why is Portis, a player often overshadowed by the league’s bigger stars, suddenly such a hot commodity? For one, his consistency off the bench has been nothing short of remarkable. Now 30, Portis finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, earning league-wide respect as one of the best bench contributors in the NBA. This season, he’s averaging 13.2 points and 6.6 rebounds in just 24 minutes per game—numbers that any contender would covet. Even more impressive, Portis is shooting a blistering 48.7% from the floor and a staggering 45.8% from beyond the arc on over four attempts per game. That kind of efficiency is exactly what the Warriors have been missing in their frontcourt rotation, especially with their penchant for spacing and ball movement.

"To help salary match, the Warriors could also absorb one of Milwaukee's other veterans owed long-term money, such as Bobby Portis (three years, $43.5 million remaining) or Kyle Kuzma (two years, $42.7 million remaining)," Slater wrote for ESPN. The sentiment is echoed by other insiders, who note that Portis’s name has been linked to Golden State for some time. NBA insider Jake Fischer has previously pointed out that Warriors coach Steve Kerr is a fan of Portis’s game, thanks in part to their time together with Team USA basketball. That connection, while not a guarantee of a deal, certainly adds a layer of intrigue to the ongoing discussions.

Of course, no player is without flaws, and Portis’s defensive limitations have been a topic of debate. His defense, by most accounts, has taken a step back in recent years—a fact not lost on teams evaluating his overall impact. Still, Golden State’s system, anchored by defensive stalwarts like Draymond Green and, more recently, Al Horford, might be able to mask some of Portis’s shortcomings on that end. The Warriors are betting that his offensive firepower and playoff experience will outweigh any defensive lapses, especially if he’s coming off the bench or playing alongside their veteran core.

As the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes heat up, the Warriors are not alone in their pursuit. The Miami Heat and New York Knicks have also been connected to Giannis in recent reports, but both franchises face significant hurdles. The Heat possess only two tradable picks, while the Knicks have none available before the deadline. That leaves Golden State in a unique position—they have a mix of large contracts, promising young players, and the ability to offer up to four first-round picks and three pick swaps. It’s a king’s ransom, but one the Warriors seem prepared to pay for another shot at NBA glory alongside Stephen Curry and, potentially, Giannis.

Should the Bucks decide to pull the trigger and trade their franchise cornerstone, it’s widely believed they’ll also look to move several veteran pieces, including Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, and, of course, Bobby Portis Jr. The Detroit Pistons have even been mentioned as a possible landing spot for Portis, given that his contract would fit into their trade exception. That flexibility appeals not just to Detroit, but also to Milwaukee and Golden State, as it could help facilitate a multi-team deal or allow the Bucks to shed salary more easily.

For the Pistons, Portis isn’t a perfect fit, but he checks several important boxes. As a tough, experienced veteran with championship pedigree, he could slide into the backup power forward slot, giving Detroit a much-needed stretch big man who can shoot from deep. His presence would allow Ron Holland II to move to his natural small forward position and might push Caris LeVert further down the rotation. As one Pistons analyst put it, “Portis Jr. is not ideal, as his defense has taken a step back, but his shooting certainly hasn’t, as he’s hitting nearly 49 percent of his shots from the floor and 46 percent from long range on over four attempts per game.” For teams hungry for spacing and reliable bench scoring, those numbers are hard to ignore.

Still, the main story remains the Warriors’ aggressive push for Giannis and the ripple effects such a trade would have across the league. If Golden State manages to land both Antetokounmpo and Portis, they’d boast a rotation stacked with star power, shooting, and playoff-tested veterans. The challenge, of course, would be managing a roster where three players soak up most of the salary cap. But as insiders have noted, “that’s a problem they’d gladly take on if they can have Giannis and Steph Curry on the same team.”

With the NBA trade deadline looming on February 9, 2026, the clock is ticking. The Warriors’ front office is working overtime, weighing the cost of parting with young assets and future picks against the tantalizing prospect of another championship run. As for Portis, his role as a potential trade sweetener could be the key that unlocks one of the biggest deals in recent memory. The next week promises high drama, anxious fans, and, perhaps, a seismic shift in the NBA’s balance of power.

For now, all eyes remain glued to the rumor mill. Will Bobby Portis find himself heading west to join the Warriors’ quest for another title? Or will another contender swoop in at the eleventh hour? The only certainty is that the NBA’s trade season never fails to deliver surprises—and this year is shaping up to be one for the ages.