Many Milwaukee Bucks fans wouldn’t forget how important Khris Middleton was to their 2021 championship. His excellent shooting and respectable defense were key components to the team winning the 2021 NBA title over a Phoenix Suns team led by an inspired Devin Boooker.
However, things have drastically changed since he won his first ring. His injuries have hampered his performance over the years. While he’s still a productive scorer whenever he’s on the floor, it’s not strange to think that he’s past his prime as a core player for the Bucks at this point.
There’s plenty of talk of him heading elsewhere as the Bucks try to build a team that can work around Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. While some see him ending up with the Golden State Warriors soon, one analyst argues that the Bucks should look into keeping him on the team for one reason.
Analyst argues that Khris Middleton is the perfect fit for the Milwaukee Bucks due to his high efficiency
Sports Illustrated’s Cody Smith wrote a detailed piece that explained why Middleton should remain with the Bucks for the foreseeable future. He explained that his skill set perfectly complements Antetokounmpo and Lillard. He also mentioned that Middleton’s clutch gene isn’t something you immediately expect from the third star of any trio.
However, the most compelling argument comes in Middleton’s efficiency:
For six seasons beginning in 2017, Middleton was the Bucks’ second scoring option after Giannis. Middleton’s usage rate of 24.6 to 27.4 percent — the share of offensive plays that ended with Middleton taking a shot, a free throw, or committing a turnover — reflected his place in the hierarchy.
Enter Lillard in 2023-24 and Middleton became third choice. But while he took three fewer shots per night than in his All-Star seasons, he remained a reliable contributor: 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists with an effective field goal percentage of almost 57 percent.
It will be nearly impossible for the Bucks to find a player who can perform at such levels when relegated to such a role. While the risk of injuries remains with Khris Middleton, the value he brings to Milwaukee is so high that it would make little sense to let him go if things work out in the coming campaign.
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