Khris Middleton’s departure last trade deadline grieved Milwaukee Bucks nation after the franchise hero’s 11-plus seasons with the team. Although unloading Middleton created salary cap flexibility this offseason, in hindsight the trade specifics look like disaster. Instead of bringing youthful value, Kyle Kuzma has been a sinkhole. A negative asset, he has been all but impossible to reroute in a subsequent move. The Bucks also sacrificed promising younger AJ Johnson as part of the deal.
The retrospective outlook would only become more irksome for fans if Middleton is traded to the current favorites atop the betting odds leaderboard: the old Finals-foe Phoenix Suns.
Joining team he helped incinerate in Milwaukee Bucks title run would be amusing to say the least
In the aftermath of the trade, Washington clarified that Middleton would remain in town to mentor the roster’s young core, as opposed to being flipped immediately elsewhere. Stay he did, averaging 10.7 points and 3.4 assists in 13 games for the Wizards.
Plans have apparently changed, as recent reports indicate that the team is now looking to either trade Middleton or more likely buy him out. Without a new multi-year contract, he will hit free agency in summer 2026 after picking up his $33.3 million player option for this season.
In the case that Middleton moves, Bovada sportsbook lists Phoenix as the lead candidates to land him.
Phoenix Suns +300
Detroit Pistons +600
Los Angeles Lakers +600
Miami Heat +800
Denver Nuggets +900
LA Clippers +1400
Milwaukee Bucks +1400
New York Knicks +1400
San Antonio Spurs +1600
Even four or five years later, a trip to the desert would be highly ironic after Middleton torched Phoenix in the 2021 Finals as the Bucks stormed back from a 2-0 deficit to win in six. Kha$h Money took the reins in Game 4, hoisting 33 shots for 40 points to send the Suns back home in a 2-2 tie.
For the series he averaged 24/6.3/5.3, plus 1.5 steals.
Ending up in Detroit would be a fitting reunion after Middleton, approaching his 34th birthday in August, began his career there 13 years ago. A return to Milwaukee seems more than improbable, even less likely than their 6.7% implied odds per Bovada. Given his salary, a buyout scenario is the only way it could happen. And given the Bucks’ emphasis on getting younger, a pivotal reason for the trade along with salary cap concerns, it’s hard to imagine.
How he would fit in Phoenix isn’t clear, either, as the Suns have a bounty of twos and threes but no true point guard.
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