NBA champion Khris Middleton is staying with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The All-Star small forward has agreed on a new three-year, $102 million contract. The third year of the deal is a player option.
Middleton was never going to leave the Bucks. He has a very close relationship with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee hired Adrian Griffin as its new head coach after firing Mike Budenholzer. Middleton and Antetokounmpo met with Griffin during the interview process.
The Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings were interested in signing Middleton, but the swingman was never interested in leaving Milwaukee.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Khris Middleton & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Middleton averaged 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists this past season 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. The veteran underwent successful surgery on his right knee shortly after the 2023 NBA playoffs, according to Shams Charania and Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
“Milwaukee Bucks All-Star forward Khris Middleton underwent successful surgery on his right knee shortly after the playoffs to address an issue that plagued him this past season, league sources tell The Athletic,” Charania and Nehm wrote. “Middleton, 31, is expected to fully recover from the minor arthroscopic procedure, and he should be back on the court in July. Per sources, the clean-up procedure to his right knee was planned and scheduled prior to the season coming to a close.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Khris Middleton & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
The Bucks won the 2021 championship over the Phoenix Suns in six games. However, they lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games and were upset by the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games.
Milwaukee will likely be hungry to go on a championship run next season.
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