Khris Middleton believes the Milwaukee Bucks “have a good amount of years left where we could play at a high level and be a contender.” The swingman, who signed a new contract with the Bucks this offseason, knows that Milwaukee can’t compete for another NBA title without Jrue Holiday, who can become an unrestricted free agent next July.
“I know Jrue’s a guy that he still has a lot left in the tank no matter his age,” Middleton told Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “He is just like Brook (Lopez), and I hope he’s excited to come back, to sign an extension and be with us for a couple more years. Because I feel we have a team that can keep playing, that can play … I wish I could say we could play ’til we’re 40, and compete for championships. But I think we have a good amount of years left where we could play at a high level and be a contender. And that doesn’t happen unless we have Jrue back also.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Holiday appeared in 67 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 47.9% from the field, 38.4% from beyond the arc and 85.9% from the free-throw line. The two-time NBA All-Star signed a four-year, $135 million extension with Milwaukee in April 2021.
A California native, Holiday has career NBA averages of 16.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Bucks. He has made five All-Defensive teams and helped Milwaukee win the 2021 NBA championship over the Phoenix Suns in six games.
Middleton averaged 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists last season for the Bucks 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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Middleton agreed on a new three-year, $102 million contract with the Bucks in July. The third year of the deal is a player option.
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