Khris Middleton's basketball journey has come full circle. Weeks after signing his first ultra-lucrative NBA contract, the Milwaukee Bucks star returned to where his path to the game's highest level was first being forged to have his jersey retired.
Middleton went home to Charleston, SC earlier this week to watch his jersey be hung from the rafters at high school alma mater Porter-Gaud, an achievement he insists tops any other he's enjoyed this summer.
“When you get your jersey retired, that tops everything,” he said, per Derrek Asberry of The Post And Courier. “It’s really not about the money. It’s about what you’re doing it for.”
Middleton was poised to be one of the most sought after free agents on the open market this summer, arguably headlining the second tier of available players behind superstars like Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard. But Milwaukee did quick work to retain him, offering Middleton a five-year, $178 million contract at the outset of free agency.
The sixth-year forward continued establishing himself as one of the league's most effective two-way wings in 2018-19, helping the Bucks their most successful season in decades. Middleton averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, earning his first All-Star berth. He struggled somewhat in the playoffs, especially with his jumper, but combined with his quietly dominant postseason showing in 2018, nevertheless made enough of an impact on both ends to cement himself as worthy of a max deal.
Milwaukee enters 2019-20 as favorites or co-favorites in the Eastern Conference, depending on your appraisal of the rebuilt Philadelphia 76ers. Mike Budenholzer's team will be hard-pressed to offset the departure of Malcolm Brogdon with replacements, though, likely leaving most of that onus to Middleton and reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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