What’s Next For Khris Middleton And The Milwaukee Bucks?

Don’t panic. Everything is going as expected (hoped?) for Khris Middleton and the Milwaukee Bucks, even after the three-time All-Star declined his player option for the 2023-24 season late Wednesday night.

Middleton was set to earn a whopping $40.4 million next year, but has decided it is best to pursue a longer-term deal.

He had a frustrating 2022-23 campaign, appearing in only 33 games and missing multiple stints due to various injuries to his knees and wrist. After missing the Bucks’ first 20 games of the season, he debuted on December 2. However, after playing in seven of their next eight games, he was sidelined with a setback to his knee, costing him the next 18 games.

When he returned again on January 23rd, it was very hit-or-miss for him down the stretch. He never played a back-to-back and only crossed the 30-minute mark seven times. He also hurt his other knee on the first play against the Chicago Bulls on April 5, just four days before the end of the regular season.

He returned for the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat and had a solid offensive series, even if he was a step slow on defense. He finished the regular season averaging 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game on a 49.9 percent effective field goal percentage. Those numbers to 23.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game in the playoffs.

The declination of his player option may spur feelings of concern in Bucks’ fans. Hopefully, it’s all part of the larger plan. Before he made his decision official, he had the following contract options available to him:

1. Extend with the Bucks for up to four years and $221 million if he accepts the option
2. Re-sign with the Bucks for up to five years and $272 million, if he declines it
3. Re-sign with the Bucks once free agency begins
4. Sign with another team once free agency begins for up to four years and $202 million

We can remove the first option since he has officially declined his player option. The second option would have to happen between now and June 30. If the Bucks re-sign him during that period, his salary for the 2023-24 season couldn’t be for less than the $40.4 million option he just declined.

Milwaukee will be tight with money this offseason, as they try to determine the best path forward for their team while avoiding the second apron if possible. Suppose they do wander over the second apron. In that case, it will minimize the moves they can make, such as eliminating their taxpayer mid-level exception, limiting the trades they can make in the future, and other restrictions.

The best result for Milwaukee is number 3. Although this process would create some anxiety for Bucks’ fans, it would allow them to retain Middleton for a lower amount than his player option and be more planful with their limited resources. A deal would have to officially be agreed to on June 30 or later.

The Bucks and Middleton have likely been discussing this path for a while now. He was a part of their finalist interviews for a new head coach, an honor only given to him and Giannis Antetokounmpo. It isn’t easy to envision them engaging him in that process, only to let him walk in free agency.

For now, however, we have to wait and see. Milwaukee has the NBA Draft on Thursday night and some other maneuvers to work through. We can only hope the two sides continue working in tandem for the foreseeable future.