There’s no denying how important Khris Middleton has been to the Milwaukee Bucks during his stint with the franchise. The thing is, his contract and recent history with various injuries may be detrimental to the team down the line.
As the Bucks prepare for the 2024-25 season, Middleton has emerged as a pivotal player in their bid for another championship. Often regarded as the team’s third star, His health could significantly impact the Bucks’ title aspirations following two consecutive first-round playoff exits.
This offseason, the Bucks bolstered their roster by signing Delon Wright, Gary Trent Jr., and Taurean Prince, aiming to reinforce their position as a top contender in the Eastern Conference alongside teams like the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. However, the success of this revamped lineup hinges on the performance of the Big Three: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Middleton.
Middleton’s recent injury struggles—stemming from a sprained MCL during the 2022 playoffs—have limited his contributions. After playing just 33 games two seasons ago and 55 last season, his consistent availability is crucial. When healthy, the All-Star has proven to be a versatile offensive threat, as demonstrated by his impressive postseason averages of 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists against the Indiana Pacers last year.
Milwaukee Bucks Warned About Khris Middleton’s Massive Contract
While Middleton is a solid piece to have when healthy, his value plummets whenever he’s out with an injury. According to an NBA analysis done by Eric Pincus for Bleacher Report, the Bucks may end up regretting his contract sometime in the future.
2024-25 salary: $31.7 million
Remaining contract: $65.7 million/two years (player option)
Middleton, 33, helped the Bucks win their first title since 1971. The team rewarded him financially, even if injuries slowed him considerably.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard at $48.8 million apiece, Milwaukee has minimal flexibility. Some of that is Middleton getting too much for what he brings (vs. what he brought to help win the title).
The good news for the Bucks is that it’s a short contract, but he’s almost sure to opt in—unless he does the opposite and re-signs for longer (at a lower dollar).
Potential regret level: 6/10
As it stands, the Bucks can always trade Middleton to recuperate their investment in him rather than see another injury derail his career. While who they’ll get won’t match the All-Star wing in terms of talent, it’s better than getting nothing due to the forward getting injured.
For the Bucks to secure their third championship, Middleton must remain healthy and play a vital role as a supporting star, helping the team navigate the challenges ahead. Otherwise, the franchise will be regretting the contract they handed out to him.
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