Phoenix Suns: 6 Free Agents to Sign with the Mid-Level Exception

Phoenix Suns Mid-Level Exception Candidates: Bobby Portis

Coming off a season where he became one of the best bench players in the league during both the regular season and playoffs, Bobby Portis finds himself occupying a relatively strange position as a free agent.

After understandably rejecting his three million dollar player option a few days ago, the Suns might lure him in with their ability pay him around nine million dollars using MLE, while also offering up another solid chance to chase another title. In exchange, the Suns get a skilled offensive and defensive big, who can stay on the court during sets with and without Deandre Ayton.

This match just feels perfect, as Portis also fixes one of the team’s biggest weaknesses in their lacking size behind Ayton. A front-court of Portis and Ayton might even see quite a few minutes against the Los Angeles Lakes, who the Suns could see in the playoffs further down the road.

Portis is not like a prototypical center though; his 47.0 3-point percentage from last year makes him one of the league’s premier floor spacers. If he joins the Suns, that feature of his game would proceed to open up things up for others, and ultimately generate more efficient offense.

But Portis’s skills which extend beyond that of your typical center do cancel out his fundamentals as big man either. Portis maintains great touch around the rim, finishing up with the best inside.

Portis’ heart, hustle, and defense also separate him from pack, making him even more likely to mesh well with the Suns.