The Milwaukee Bucks are still hopeful to contend for the NBA title in the 2024-25 NBA season, despite their sluggish start. The Bucks fought their way and earned a 10-9 record, following a 2-8 start to their campaign.
With their current roster, the Bucks are one of the most formidable teams in the Eastern Conference when healthy. Leading the group are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, their All-Star duo. Their third option is Khris Middleton, a skilled scorer when his health is at 100%. And finally, Brook Lopez, their towering defensive big man in the middle.
Three of the team’s four main players were on the 2021 championship squad.
Unfortunately for the Bucks, this season could be their last hurrah. According to The Athletic’s Danny Leroux, Lopez and Middleton could enter free agency next summer, ending their stint with the Milwaukee team.
“Elsewhere on the center market, Brook Lopez developed into a center who occupies that rare niche, too, but he turns 37 next April, and so teams will be worried about his level of play and health moving forward even if he is interested in leaving the Bucks,” Leroux said. “Lopez’s teammate Khris Middleton faces age and health concerns too. While he turns a comparatively spry 34 next summer, Middleton had surgery on both ankles over the offseason and played just 88 games combined over the last two seasons. Still, even a limited Middleton could elevate several rosters, so the Bucks have another tough negotiation if Middleton declines his $34 million player option.”
A significant number of the NBA's players are already under contract. So the 2025 free agent class seems to be pretty weak.
Still, a few names could be difference-makers.@DannyLeroux takes an early look at Jimmy Butler, Myles Turner and others ⤵️https://t.co/jaI3SJ63Fk
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 29, 2024
Leroux argued that at Lopez’s age of 36, he might not get the offer he wants from the Bucks. The center is on an expiring two-year, $48 million contract and will be 37 years old by the time he becomes a free agent.
As for Middleton, his age and injury history will factor in his contract negotiation with Milwaukee. Unlike Lopez, however, the three-time All-Star has a $34 million player option he can exercise next summer. However, his next potential contract with the Bucks could be discounted given the missed time he’s had due to injuries, which could make him look elsewhere.
Milwaukee Bucks head coach spoke about the importance of Khris Middleton
Middleton is yet to play a game for the Milwaukee Bucks this season due to injuries. The Bucks are cautiously reintroducing him into the lineup even though he has received medical clearance. After their 124-114 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday, head coach Doc Rivers spoke about the importance of having the All-Star forward back on the floor.
A reporter asked Rivers about the increase of Antetokounmpo’s and Lillard’s minutes this season. According to the Milwaukee Bucks coach, he hopes to see it get managed better once Middleton can play.
“What we’d like them is in that 34, 33 [minute] range for most nights. They’ve been up and down from that.” Rivers said (6:52). “When Khris comes back, clearly that helps us lower their minutes. That’s the importance of Khris.”
Rivers did not give a concrete answer on Middleton’s return but has hinted that it could be soon.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
