NBA News: The Milwaukee Bucks and Khris Middleton are headed into a crucial off-season. Middleton, who declined his $40.4 million option with the Bucks, has been speculated to re-sign with the team on a long-term contract. However, due to the fact that he is currently an unrestricted free agent, Middleton will certainly garner interest from around the league. One team in the Western Conference looking to turn their fortunes around reportedly have Khris Middleton on their “wish list.”
Houston Rockets Are Interested In Signing Khris Middleton (NBA News)
An article published by Jason Burgos highlighted the fact that the Houston Rockets are interested in signing the three-time All-Star:
It seems the Rockets have quickly learned their lesson. On Monday, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle revealed quite a few interesting details regarding Houston’s strategy and targets in NBA free agency. Firstly, while the organization still hopes to sign the future Hall-of-Famer, they are also interested in a quantity over quality approach and could aim for three to four second and third-tier players on the open market instead of one or two big names talents.
Furthermore, Feigen revealed the large list of players the Houston Rockets will try and talk to, and it included two top stars from the Milwaukee Bucks and a pair of rising talents from the Los Angeles Lakers.
“According to a person with knowledge of their thinking, they have interest in the Bucks’ Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, the Nuggets’ Bruce Brown, the Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson, the Lakers’ Rui Hachimura and Austin Reeves, the Nets’ Cam Johnson, the Warriors’ Donte DiVincenzo, the Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks, the Raptors’ Jakob Poeltl and the Mavericks’ Dwight Powell.”
– Jonathan Feigen
Would Middleton Consider Signing With A Team That’s Not The Bucks? (NBA News)
NBA executives spoke with HoopsHype and expect the Bucks to retain Middleton this summer. Those executives project Middleton to command a four-year, $130 million contract from Milwaukee.
If Middleton were to re-sign with the Bucks for four years and $130 million, his annual salary would be $32.5 million, a significant drop from his $40 million player option he declined. With Middleton’s age (he’ll be 32-years-old at the start of the upcoming season) and recent injury history, it makes sense for both the Bucks and Middleton to come to an agreement on this type of deal.
You also have to take into account that the Milwaukee Bucks, when healthy, are are legitimate title contender. In fact, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton have NEVER lost a playoff series when all three are healthy. Choosing to sign with the Houston Rockets would likely be the start of a rebuild. Middleton likely isn’t interested in joining a team that doesn’t have championship aspirations.
Lastly, Middleton has been with Milwaukee for a decade now. He joined the team after the Detroit Pistons traded him in 2013. Milwaukee his home for the 32-year-old three-time All-Star.
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