By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]
Bobby Portis Jr. is set to sign a contract extension to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks. After declining a player option worth 13.4 million dollars, the 30-year-old American power forward intends to pen a three-year contract and secure 44 million dollars, according to ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania. His run with the franchise and as a loyal teammate of Giannis Antetokounmpo started in 2020 and included the championship run in 2021. Serving a 25-game suspension for testing positive for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, he was limited to 55 games played between the 2024-25 Regular Season and the 2025 Playoffs presented by Google.
The Houston Rockets added to a busy stretch, including trading for Kevin Durant, with a fully guaranteed five-year, 122 million contract extension for Jabari Smith Jr., Charania also reported on Sunday. The 22-year-old American forward has played in 219 games since being selected with the third overall pick of the 2022 draft by the Rockets.
Also, Julius Randle will pen a three-year, 100 million contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves, including a player option for the 2027-28 campaign, per Charania. The 30-year-old American forward, a veteran of 740 appearances, joined the Wolves last October, following stints with the New York Knicks, New Orleans Pelicans, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Elsewhere in the NBA, the Portland Trail Blazers officially parted ways with Deandre Ayton, after completing a contract buyout, as initially reported by Charania. His contract was set to expire after the 2025-26 season.