Bobby Portis was not about to let Norman Powell call him a “throw-in piece” and just move on.
The Miami Heat big man fired back after Powell discussed this summer’s blockbuster trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee to Miami.
Powell, who spent last season with the Heat, explained why he ultimately ended up leaving Miami after initially expecting to remain with the team alongside Giannis.
According to Powell, Portis being included in the deal played a role in the Heat no longer having the financial flexibility to bring him back.
“Honestly, I thought I would be going back to Miami throughout the course of the year,” Powell said, via Mark Medina . “We knew they wanted to get Giannis. We heard some rumblings that ‘Norm, Bam [Adebayo] and Giannis sounds really good.’ So I thought that was the path. But when the trade is on the table, that was in the season and I don’t know the talks behind it. I don’t know what Milwaukee’s stance was.
“But it seemed like they were like, ‘If you want Giannis, you have to take Bobby Portis.’ I think that played a part with the CBA rules and the hard cap with sending out money and receiving money. That put a tough swing on things, in my eyes. But I could be totally wrong.”
Portis was not happy and took to X and made his feelings pretty clear.
“Yo Norm @npowell2404 , I always respected ya game from a distance. We in the same draft. Shout out to 2015. Only bout 9 of us left but keep my name out your mouth brother. I ain’t no throw in piece. From champ to champ respectfully king. Be blessed brother.”
That “throw-in piece” line was obviously the part that got Portis going.
Portis spent six seasons in Milwaukee, won a championship with the Bucks and became one of the more important pieces of their rotation. He wasn’t exactly some random contract being attached to the Giannis deal.
But from Powell’s perspective, he was explaining the circumstances that ultimately led to him leaving Miami.
Either way, Portis wasn’t interested in being framed as an afterthought in the biggest trade of the offseason.
Powell responded by urging Portis to speak with him privately, rather than going back and forth publicly.
“You my dawg brotha always supporting. You wanna chop it up. Hit my line directly. Class of 2015 still hoopin.”