The Milwaukee Bucks plan to bring All-Stars Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez back next season, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Lopez is an unrestricted free agent, while Middleton is expected to decline his 2023-24 player option to become a free agent.
“There have been rumblings about Milwaukee’s interest in Bradley Beal as well, as The Athletic first reported, but that would almost certainly have to include All-Star guard Khris Middleton heading back to Washington, and Milwaukee, by all accounts, has plans to bring back both Middleton and Brook Lopez,” Fischer wrote.
The Bucks hired Adrian Griffin as their new head coach after firing Mike Budenholzer. Middleton and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo met with Griffin during the interview process.
Middleton averaged 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 2022-23 while shooting 43.6% from the field, 31.5% from beyond the arc and 90.2% from the free-throw line. He only appeared in 33 games due to injuries, but the veteran is expected to be 100% healthy next season after undergoing surgery after the playoffs.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Lopez, meanwhile, averaged 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds 1.3 assists and 2.5 blocks for the Bucks in 78 games while shooting 53.1% from the floor, 37.4% from beyond the arc and 78.4% from the free-throw line. The big man made 136 3-pointers.
Antetokounmpo loves playing with Middleton and Lopez, so it makes sense for the Bucks to keep Giannis happy by re-signing his pals.
Next season is a big one for the Bucks, who lost to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games. Milwaukee has struggled in the postseason the last two years after winning the championship in 2021 over the Phoenix Suns.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
The Houston Rockets have interest in signing both Middleton and Lopez, but it looks like the Bucks are going to keep their core together.
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