Bucks Sign Portis Jr. and Ingles, Griner Update, Bledsoe Free Agent, and More

The Bucks have re-signed Bobby Portis Junior and former Jazz forward Joe Ingles. President Biden speaks to Brittney Griner's wife. Trail Blazers guard Eric Bledsoe is now a free agent, and Jazz's Rudy Gobert is headed to Timberwolves.

The Bucks have re-signed Bobby Portis Junior and former Jazz forward Joe Ingles

The Milwaukee Bucks have re-signed forward Bobby Portis Jr., as well as signing former Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles.

Re-signing Portis Jr. was a no-brainer, as he averaged a career high of 14.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game last season. He shot 47.9% from the field, 39.3% from the three, and 75.2% from the free-throw line, NBA.com reported.

Forward Joe Ingles, 34, who spent all of his 8 seasons in the NBA with the Utah Jazz, comes to the Bucks averaging 7.2 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 45 games/15 starts last season, which was due to a knee injury in January. He has a career average of 8.6 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.2 rebounds. Following the 2020-2021 season, he was runner-up for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award, NBA.com reports.

President Joe Biden speaks to Brittney Griner's wife

President Joe Biden made a phone call to Cherelle Griner, the wife of WNBA Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner on Wednesday, assuring her that the US is working to secure her release from Russia "as soon as possible," Fox reported.

Griner's trial is set to resume on Thursday. She has been detained in Russia since February, charged with possessing cannabis oil, which could carry a prison sentence of ten years if convicted.

Trail Blazers guard Eric Bledsoe a free agent

With the contract for Portland Trail Blazers veteran point guard Eric Bledsoe set to become fully guaranteed to the tune of $3.9 million for next season, the team has waived their option, making him an unrestricted free agent, CBSSports reported. Bledsoe is expected to draw interest from multiple teams.

Last season, Bledsoe came to the Blazers as part of a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers along with Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson, and a future second-round pick in exchange for Norman Powell and Robert Covington.

Jazz's Rudy Gobert headed to Timberwolves.

Rudy Gobert, after nine seasons with the Utah Jazz, is headed for the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a multi-player trade between the two teams, NBA.com reported.

As part of the deal, the Jazz get Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, the draft rights to Walker Kessler, future draft picks, and a draft swap.

The 30-year-old, 7-foot 8½ inch center from Saint-Quentin, France, made six trips to the playoffs with the Jazz and is considered one of the best offenders in NBA history. Announcing his departure, the Jazz tweeted: "Once a Jazzman, always a Jazzman."