The Milwaukee Bucks have been in a lot of headlines the last few weeks as the future of star player Giannis Antetokounmpo is up in the air. The Greek Freak has been very open about his plans for the future, as all he is worried about is winning championships. If the Bucks cannot afford him that opportunity, he will look elsewhere.
One of the reasons that Antetokounmpo is hesitant to commit to the Bucks long-term is the aging core that has been built around him. Part of that aging core is Khris Middleton, who turned 32 in August and has battled injuries the last few seasons.
He has struggled with a myriad of injuries that began during the 2022 postseason when he suffered a knee injury. That kept him out of the team’s second-round series against the Boston Celtics, which the Bucks would lose in seven games.
The offseason following that loss, Middleton underwent an operation on his wrist. Last season, he played in only 33 regular season games and never quite looked like himself. He did look like the Middleton of old in the postseason, but the Bucks were eliminated in the first round by the Miami Heat in five games.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Earlier this offseason, Middleton underwent surgery on his knee again. But, he has been working out for the last few months and has a clean bill of health. He is excited to be healthy heading into the 2023-24 campaign.
“The last year and a half, two years, they’ve been kind of strange dealing with different type of injuries that weren’t nagging injuries,” he said. “There are real things that needed surgery and needed time to heal and whatnot. So this summer’s just been kind of about getting myself back together into being back to my old, natural self, as healthy as I can be, which I think I’m headed in that direction.
“So it’s been a good productive summer for me thus far where I didn’t have to feel like I was starting all over … I was able to focus on my whole body, and start to work on my game here these last couple months.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
If the Bucks want any chance of competing this season they need Middleton healthy and playing at a high level. Milwaukee was able to retain him and Brook Lopez this offseason despite both hitting unrestricted free agency.
It will be important for both of them to stay healthy as this could be the last run at contention that the Bucks have with their current core. Falling short of contention will only make the rumors about Antetokounmpo wanting to leave that much louder.
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