The Bulls will reportedly discuss extending the contract of Bobby Portis after this season.
Portis’ season got off to an inauspicious start as he was involved in an incident with then-teammate Nikola Mirotic in October that resulted in Mirotic suffering facial fractures. Portis was subsequently suspended by the Bulls for eight games.
Since Mirotic’s trade to the Pelicans, Portis has stepped up his game and shown the kind of development that may keep him in Chicago beyond next season. According to NBC Sports Chicago, a contract extension for Portis will be discussed by the organization this summer.
Portis, 23, is in his third season after being selected No. 22 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. In 53 games this season, he is averaging career-highs in points (13.2) and rebounds (6.5) while shooting 48 percent from the floor and 35 percent from behind the three-point line.
Securing Portis now, if they choose to go that route, could save the Bulls the money down the road. If Portis becomes a restricted free agent, it may cost Chicago more money to match another team’s offer should his development continue on an upward trajectory.
