NBA free agency news: Khris Middleton will decline option with Bucks, command max deal
By Travis Durkee 19 June 2019 144
Another All-Star will be available in free agency as Bucks forward Khris Middleton plans to decline his $13 million player option for next season, his agent told ESPN.
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
This move from Middleton isn't shocking as he's expected to re-sign with Milwaukee for five years and near-max money, according to multiple reports.
Middleton was named to his first All-Star team last season despite taking a small step back in scoring from last year (18.3 points per game vs. 20.1 in 2017-18) with Mike Budenholzer taking over the Bucks, but he averaged a career-high in rebounds (6.0) and assists (4.3). He remains very efficient at putting the ball in the bucket, as he has shot better than 45 percent from the field, 38 percent from the 3-point line and 87 percent from the free-throw line in his career.
A max deal in Milwaukee for Middleton would net him roughly $190 million over five seasons. If he signs elsewhere he'd be eligible for about $140 million over four years.
Though Milwaukee is fresh off an incredible season that netted the Bucks the top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, the roster could look much different than the one that faced Toronto in the Eastern Conference Finals as Middleton, 2017 Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and midseason acquisitions Brook Lopez and Nikola Mirotic are all free agents.
Travis Durkee
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