Bucks wing Khris Middleton is declining his $40.4MM player option to become an unrestricted free agent, his agents tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Despite turning down the option, the three-time All-Star could still work out a new deal with Milwaukee, Woj adds (via Twitter).
Middleton, who turns 32 in August, had a disappointing regular season in 2022/23, appearing in just 33 games (24.3 minutes) while averaging 15.1 points, 4.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds on .436/.315/.902 shooting.
He had a strong playoff showing in Milwaukee’s first-round loss to Miami, however, averaging 23.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists on .465/.406/.867 shooting in five games.
Middleton battled persistent knee soreness throughout ’22/23, undergoing arthroscopic surgery to deal with the issue after the season ended. He also had wrist surgery last summer, which caused him to miss the first 20 games of last season.
The 39th pick of the 2012 draft by Detroit, Middleton didn’t play much as a rookie for the Pistons before he was traded to Milwaukee the following summer. He has emerged as one of the Bucks’ best players over the past decade, playing a key role in helping the club win the championship in ’20/21.
A recent report indicated that the Bucks plan to retain Middleton. League executives reportedly believe he could re-sign with Milwaukee on a four-year deal worth around $130MM.
Turned down 40m one year contract. What a world
Wow does he get a $40mm offer anywhere else?
Not possible
If the Bucks offer him 3 years at $75-80 million he almost double his guaranteed money.
And plays two more years.
But he’s an NBA player so he’s going to play 2 more years regardless. This route just gets him $80 mil for doing so
Sure. He can also take the guaranteed $40M right now and sign a 2 year $20M per deal, which is more likely to happen as he proves the injury is no longer an issue.
Say what?
Opting out to sign a new long term deal
Interesting turn of events. Houston somehow right? lol
Move the comma to “player,” and the headline becomes more accurate.
Shessh at 32 years old your turning down 40 mil and your a sidekick guy.
Imagine Milwaukee let him walk and get Kyrie for the type of money. I’m sure they’d love to have an elite ball handler, playmaker and scoring option like that beside Giannas. Forget the wing defence you have Jrue Holiday Giannas and BLopez, you need offensive fire power.
Dallas can have Kris Middleton he’d actually be a better fit with Luka. 20/25 points per game sometimes 30. Great wing defence, great floor spacing, no ego or ball hogging issues.
Doubt it happens, just shrouded Middleton didn’t take the money
That’s not how it all works
It’s amazing to me how many people comment on here regularly who don’t even know how the salary cap works.
I feel a lot of your takes are based on stats alone. Khris is so much more valuable to the Bucks in pretty much every facet of the game, not to mention chemistry and locker room stuff. They’re going to sign him for less money annually to keep him around for longer.
Of course he opts-out …… players at that stage of their careers will choose a new, long-term contract.
Should be less annually, but more years, more guaranteed money overall.
He might want to fire his agent because there’s no way he gets that much anywhere else especially with his injuries over the past 2 yrs
Everyone on the face of the planet knows he won’t get that annual salary again. What happens is he’ll get three or four years at 30 million or so, maybe 25 million. 100-120 million guaranteed is better than 40 million guaranteed.
The Celtics horded all those picks and assets to pay an injury prone Porzingis. Bravo
It looks to me like the timeline is lining up perfectly for Giannis to give Milwaukee 2 more years. Scariest part for Milwaukee should be the fact that LeBron and AD are both sitting on opt outs next year, and are likely to leave to chase a final title. More than enough cap space for the Lakers to be sitting there waiting with a max salary slot for Giannis to take over the franchise from LeBron.
Hes been talking about retirement or going elsewhere to play for 3+ years already. I’m not sure he stays 2 more full seasons anyway.
Since you know the future, please tell me which stocks will blow up in the next year.
Don’t shoot yourself in the foot. Avoid the stock market right now. Soon enough it will be a navigable playground, but the risk/reward is fairly high right now, and the market is fairly stagnant with very low trading volumes, and market activity
as a dubs fan, I’d much rather play porzingis than Rob Williams.
Let him walk he’s already breaking down and isn’t gonna be worth 30 or even 20 per 2-4 years from now when he misses half a season best case
Expected. Guys his age, with his recent injuries, should avoid playing on a 1 year deal. Probably a lock that he has an agreement with MIL to sign a longer term deal.