CHICAGO _ In an interview with the website HoopsHype, Bobby Portis reiterated what he said Saturday in Chicago, saying he doesn't "have anything negative to say about anyone in the Chicago Bulls organization. They're a first-class organization and they do everything the right way."
But Portis related his view of the trade, which some viewed as criticism of the Bulls when he said he didn't "think it was done the right way." Portis disputed that take on social media. And his visit to the Bulls locker room after Saturday's game as a member of the Wizards reflects someone who still cares for the organization.
Mark Bartelstein, Portis' Chicago-based agent, told the Tribune on Wednesday his client and the Bulls are on the same page.
"(General manager) Gar (Forman) made it very clear to me they had no interest in trading Bobby and wanted him there long term," Bartelstein said. "However, like with anyone else, they had to listen to offers coming in. A day before the deadline, he didn't think anything was going to happen. There's no doubt in my mind that Gar and (executive vice president John Paxson) were sincere about their desire to re-sign him.
"I told Bobby: 'They love you. They want to get a deal done this summer and have no interest in trading you. But if the right offer comes about, absolutely you can get traded.' The analogy I said to Bobby _ these weren't Gar's words, they were mine _ was, 'If the Warriors offer Kevin Durant and the Lakers offer LeBron James, you're getting traded.' Basically, if somebody offers something the Bulls can't refuse."
Bartelstein's take squares with the version Portis related to the website. Basically, Portis didn't think he was getting traded because talks with the Wizards didn't start until just before last Thursday's deadline.
At a news conference after the trade, Paxson and Forman said the Wizards changed their stance on keeping Otto Porter Jr. once John Wall needed surgery for a torn Achilles tendon that will sideline him for 12 months.
Bulls management last fall offered Portis a four-year extension worth upward of $40 million plus incentives, which Portis declined.
Portis said Saturday the Bulls treated him like family. That's why coach Jim Boylen didn't hesitate Wednesday when asked if Portis' cloudy exit is another sign the Bulls need to do damage control on a battered perception around the league.
"People were treated with respect, and those situations are always difficult," Boylen said. "I thought we handled a really difficult situation as well as you can handle it. I didn't feel any animosity from Bobby about anything, so I don't know. Hearsay is tough.
"I thought Bobby's quote as far as 'being a family and treating me like a family' is about as powerful as it gets. At this level a lot of times you get out of something what you put into it. And Bobby had a great experience here that he has verbalized."
