The Milwaukee Bucks had a much earlier exit from the 2023 NBA playoffs than most fans expected. After their brutal 4-1 series loss to the Miami Heat, many are speculating about the future of the core players in Milwaukee. One of the players who has been widely rumored to be a potential trade candidate is All-Star Khris Middleton. Those rumors have picked up steam lately as multiple trade suitors have surfaced for the three-time All-Star.
Milwaukee Bucks Forward Khris Middleton Reportedly Has Multiple Trade Suitors

According to James Piercey of NBAA Analysis Network:
Now, the Bucks face questions. Big ones. The immediate future of this team is filled with more questions than answers. Brook Lopez is a free agent. That’s significant enough. With that said, Khris Middleton is due to hit the open market as well. Here are three teams we think should target him in free agency.
Indiana Pacers
Some may see this as an odd suggestion. The Indiana Pacers didn’t make the play-in tournament this year. Why make a win-now signing? Well, it would be consistent with the Pacers’ general modus operandi. This small market team doesn’t like to rebuild for long. Don’t be surprised if they look to take a step forward this summer.
If they did, Middleton could be a great fit. The Pacers have pieces that could make them one of the best shooting teams in the NBA. Their lead playmaker (Tyrese Haliburton) is an elite shooter, and they’ve got a stretch big man in Myles Turner.
Utah Jazz
In fact, it only makes sense that a team on the cusp would target Middleton. Cap space will be scarce this summer. Most teams won’t have it. Middleton will have a relatively limited number of suitors.
The Utah Jazz should be one of them. Like the Pacers, this team missed the playoffs this season. Still, they looked like a very competitive team at times this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Frankly, you could take the Jazz slide, replace the word Jazz with the word Oklahoma City Thunder, and be done here. In fact, the Thunder were even tougher to beat than the Jazz this summer. They made the play-in tournament. Everyone’s expecting the Thunder to take a step forward this summer.
Why not add Middleton? The Thunder have the cap space. Here, they’d be adding a star player without surrendering any assets to do so.
It would certainly take a significant trade package to lure Khris Middleton away from the Milwaukee Bucks. When healthy, Middleton is easily the second best player on the Bucks’ team. Health, though, has been an issue as of late and could lead to the Milwaukee Bucks at least considering a trade. The only one who is certainly untouchable is Giannis.
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