The Bucks and Khris Middleton are in agreement on a lucrative new deal, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link), who hears from Middleton’s agents Mike Lindeman and Jeff Schwartz that the star forward will sign a three-year, $102MM contract to remain in Milwaukee.
Middleton turned down a $40.4MM player option in order to secure a more significant overall financial commitment, though he’ll accept a lower salary in 2023/24. That reduction should help the Bucks’ luxury tax situation in the short term.
One of the NBA’s most underappreciated players for years, Middleton averaged at least 20 points in four of five seasons and made three All-Star teams from 2017-22. Unfortunately, his contract year was a forgettable one, with Middleton limited to 33 games due to injuries as his scoring rate (15.1 PPG) and shooting percentages (.436 FG%, .315 3PT%) dipped significantly.
The 31-year-old wing looked more like himself in five playoff games (23.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 6.2 APG, .465/.406/.867 shooting) and felt confident enough about his earning potential this summer to decline his player option. The bet paid off, with Middleton landing another nine-figure contract.
A former second-round pick (39th overall in 2012), Middleton was drafted by Detroit, spending his rookie year with the club. He was traded to Milwaukee in the summer of 2013 and has spent the past decade building the team’s culture and winning habits alongside two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was a rookie during Middleton’s first year with the Bucks.
Middleton was instrumental to the Bucks’ championship campaign in ’20/21, averaging 23.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 5.1 APG and 1.5 SPG in 23 playoff games (40.1 MPG). Both sides will be hoping he continues his playoff form over the next three seasons.
Rory Maher contributed to this story.
Khris Middleton 3 years $102 million is a great deal for him. Just get back healthy and in shape and ready to compete for a championship.
Yeah good luck with that.
That’s like with any contract … staying healthy LOL. That said, I like this deal but only if he can stay generally healthy for the playoffs.
If he can stay healthy it’s not unreasonable. If not it will be an albatross. Part of this had to be keeping Giannis happy.
What ISN’T about keeping Giannis happy?
Acceptable.
Those 2 extra years at only $30 million when jerami grant just got $32 million per for 5 is a big discount. Good for them to do that to stay together
Make it rain
Folks getting riled up when he opted out of his last year ……. this is what usually happens – more years, more guaranteed money overall.
Good that KM stays with the BUCKS.
Yeah I kinda figured something like this was coming, although I hoped for a little lower AAV. There was a small part of me that worried a team with more money to spend would make him an offer he couldn’t refuse..and MKE couldn’t (or shouldn’t) come close enough to retain him.
But I think in the end he wanted to stay, and I’m sure Giannis was twisting arms on both sides to make sure it happened.
When the deets get out, I’m willing to wager it’s a bit backloaded.