Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton has declined his $13M player option to become an unrestricted free agent, but it sounds like the two sides are working on a long-term deal.
According to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Middleton is expected to command a five-year contract with the Bucks. However, Wojnarowski reports that Middleton could also seek a four-year, max deal with another team:
Middleton is expected to command a five-year max contract to stay with the Bucks – or a four-year, max deal elsewhere in the NBA. https://t.co/JJzxSSyn21
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 19, 2019
Middleton, now 27 years of age, signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the Bucks in 2015 and is likely in line for a pay raise. Had he decided to pick up his option, he would have made roughly $13 million for the 2019-20 season.
“He’s going back,” a Western Conference executive told Jordan Brenner of The Athletic earlier this week. “What I hear is he will get a fifth year, but take a little less at the beginning. It won’t be the max, but it’ll be close.”
In his 77 appearances with the Bucks during their 2018-19 regular season campaign (all starts), Middleton racked up averages of 18.3 points on 44.1 percent shooting from the field (37.8 percent from beyond the arc), 6.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steal in 31.1 minutes per outing.
Middleton has proven to be a key piece for Milwaukee, and his game pairs well with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Together, the two players led the Bucks to the best record in the NBA this past season (60-22 overall and 1st in the Central Division standings).
Whether or not Middleton will be with the Bucks next season remains to be seen, but it sounds like both sides are interested in the idea.
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