Mike Budenholzer, Bucks’ coach shared his excitement about Khris’ return. “He has worked tirelessly to get back, and we’re thrilled to have him rejoin the lineup,” said. His return will also give support to the stars players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard that will enjoy the squad depth that a versatile player like Middleton gives to the team.

Jayson Tatum’s Celtics is one of the Milwaukee Bucks’ strongest rivals in the East Conference and Middleton’s comeback is good booster. NBA experts will be examining Khris’ reintegration to the squad since they consider his contribution crucial to beat Celtics.

Khris Middleton’s Struggles with Injuries and His Indispensable Role for the Bucks

Injuries and Middleton’s career have been linked in recent times. Despite of having played just 55 games during the last season, he could remain as a productive player averaging 15.1 points, 5.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. During Antetokounmpo absence, Khris stepped up averaging 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists. His ability to shine under pressure is key for Bucks’ season.

Khris Middleton’s ongoing injury struggles have sparked growing concerns among NBA analysts regarding his long-term durability. However, the Milwaukee Bucks continue to place their trust in his full recovery, believing his versatility and skill set can make a significant impact on the team’s overall performance. Fans in Milwaukee are hopeful that Middleton’s presence on the court will help solidify the Bucks’ playoff positioning and enhance their chances of making a deep postseason run.

Initially, it seemed unlikely that Middleton would be ready for the Bucks’ NBA season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers. However, Rivers left the door open for the possibility, according to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.

“Bucks coach Doc Rivers told reporters that Khris Middleton did not do anything more than the skill development work he has been doing at today’s practice,” Nehm reported. “Rivers added there is still a chance Middleton plays in the season opener on Wednesday, but he needs to play 5-on-5 first.”

Middleton played a pivotal role alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo in helping the Bucks secure the 2020-21 NBA title. However, over the past two years, he has been plagued by significant injuries, which have limited his availability in both the regular season and playoffs.

Antetokounmpo makes surprising trade admission

Giannis Antetokounmpo recently made headlines with a surprising confession about his future in Milwaukee if the Bucks fail to meet expectations this season. After back-to-back early playoff exits, the pressure to return to championship form is higher than ever.

In a candid interview with Sam Amick of The Athletic, Antetokounmpo reflected on the possibility of a trade if things don’t go as planned this season. “Do you have it in the back of your mind, like, ‘(What) if this year doesn’t go well?’ Yeah, if we don’t win a championship, I might get traded. Yeah, this is the job we live. This is the world we’re living in. It’s everybody,” Giannis said.

He added, “It’s the profession that we’re in. At any given moment, if you don’t succeed, that might be it for us. It was the same way with the previous coaching staff, and the year before, the players before. … If you don’t do a good enough job, you’re out.”

This seems out of character for a guy like Giannis, who had always talked about winning the hard way, staying loyal, and building a contender instead of joining one.

Whatever the case, fellow Buck Khris Middleton recently stated that neither he nor anybody else is actually worried about Giannis’ future, and this situation won’t have an effect on the team.

Bucks Players Aren’t Worried About Giannis

“I think it’s kind of business as usual either way,” Middleton told ESPN. “It doesn’t affect me personally. I don’t think it affects us as a team. I think this is something he said almost every year he’s come up in contract extension talks.”

Perhaps this wasn’t the wisest choice of words by Middleton. Downplaying Giannis’ discontent could only make things worse, even if he meant that he believes everything will get sorted out eventually.

The fact of the matter is that the Bucks need to do whatever they can to keep the Greek Freak on board, as they could go back to being a playoff-hopeful small-market team without him.

Giannis recently stated that he wouldn’t mind taking his talents somewhere else if that meant having a better opportunity to win another NBA championship in the foreseeable future.

However, Khris Middleton believes he’s eventually going to stay, mostly because they’ve never had any sort of issue or power struggle in terms of who’s going to take a big shot or not.

Khris Middleton Says There Is No Power Struggle In The Bucks

“There’s never been a struggle about who is one and two between us,” Middleton said on The Old Man & the Three. “As we got older, there was a respect that was formed and bonded between those intense practices. Then as time goes on, we realized none of this matters once we got into the games. We had our battles in practice, now our job is to go out and win. So, whoever is one, two, three, four, five, that doesn’t matter.”

“As long as we win, everything is taken care of itself, everybody gets paid, everybody is happy, and everybody gets to go wherever they wanna go. That’s just the way we learned,” he added.

“Everybody wants to be ‘the guy,’ but sometimes it’s okay not being the guy, like I have no problem not being the guy,” Middleton said. “Some nights are going to be my night, he [Giannis] has no problem with that, and I know a lot of nights are going to be his night. As long as we win I’m happy I’m good… If you realize you wanna win, you have to sacrifice something. So, I think we’ve all had this mindset that at some point we have to sacrifice something within our game, within ourselves to be on a winning team and luckily it happened organically with us.”

Giannis has made it loud and clear that he just wants to win, and he’s never looked mad or angry over Middleton or any other player taking over when need be. That’s winning basketball.

As a consequence, even with a championship won just two years ago, Mike Budenholzer was fired as head coach and Adrian Griffin took over. Now, the front office had to make some moves in order to help Giannis.

One of the big questions for the Bucks was definitely Khris Middleton as he declined his $40.4 million player option in order to become a free agent. With many possible suitors as the Lakers or the Knicks, no one knew for sure what will happen.

Khris Middleton signs massive contract with Milwaukee Bucks

Khris Middleton got a three year, $102 million new contract with the Bucks to remain alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holliday. It was a massive move for Milwaukee trying to make another championship run.

Middleton is 32-years old and, though injuries have been a main problem in the last two seasons, the star is a tremendously valuable asset looking forward. It was a no-brainer for the Bucks.

Furthermore, Milwaukee have also signed Brook Lopez to a two-year, $48 million extension. That way, the core group remains intact as the Bucks will start next season as the biggest favorite to reach the NBA Finals in the East.

Middleton was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 2012 and, just one year later, he was traded to the Bucks. That same season, Milwaukee recruited Antetokounmpo and the rest is history. They became one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

However, the future of Khris Middleton with the Bucks is uncertain as his contract is set to expire. The New York Knicks have been rumored to be interested and even the Lakers with LeBron James. An important decision has been made.

Khris Middleton set to become a free agent

According to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski, Khris Middleton has declined his $40.4 million player option in order to become a free agent. Now, the big question if he’ll ask for a new deal with the Bucks or another team might knock on the door.

All signs point out to a long-term deal with Milwaukee. Middleton could be looking at least for a four-year contract around $130 million. Of course, there have been rumors about Lakers or Knicks.

However, if he wants another championship, the Bucks will remain a contender in the East even with a new head coach. Adrian Griffin took over after Mike Budenholzer was fired.

It’s important to remember that Khris Middleton is 31-years old and this could be the last big contract of his professional career. That’s why the move as an unrestricted free agent is logical, but, Milwaukee are not out of the picture at all. Still, who knows if any other big team might tempt him.

However, it doesn’t seem like coach JB Bickerstaff had his team ready for the playoffs. Moreover, giving Kevin Love up might have hurt them, considering they lack the depth and size to match up with rival bigs.

So, now that the New York Knicks have sent them packing early, let’s take a look at the three free-agent candidates they should try and prioritize as soon as they’re allowed to talk to players.

NBA Rumors: 3 Targets For Cleveland Cavaliers

3. Khris Middleton

This one might as well be the most tricky, especially for salary-cap purposes. But Khris Middleton might not pick up his player option in an attempt to pursue one final lucrative deal, and he’d be a seamless fit there.

The Cavs desperately crave someone to round up their starting lineup. They need someone who can play defense on the wing but won’t be a spacing issue, and that’s Middleton. Maybe, they could do a sign-and-trade if he doesn’t pick up his player option.

2. Kyle Kuzma

The Washington Wizards reportedly want to keep Kyle Kuzma for the long run, but he might not feel the same way about them. He knows he can get paid somewhere else, somewhere he might actually make the playoffs.

Likewise, Kuzma is a perfect fit for what the Cavs need right now. He can play defense, and he’ll spread the floor with his three-point shooting skills, not to mention he’s another potential 20+ PPG scorer for them.

1. Dillon Brooks

Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. No one wants anything to do with Dillon Brooks right now, and rightfully so, but he might make the most sense for this team, at least from a basketball standpoint.

Brooks hasn’t been much of a shooter this season, but he’s proven that he can knock down the three-ball. He’s also a pesky defender in the perimeter and the wing, and he might be the cheapest option available for them if the Memphis Grizzlies don’t want him anymore.

More than that, this first-round exit could propel some major changes within the organization. They have a new co-owner, and he may not be willing to pay up to try and keep the band together.

With that in mind, Khris Middleton could be the first casualty, according to The Action Network’s Matt Moore. Per Moore, the team could look to get younger and more athletic in his position.

Khris Middleton Might Leave The Bucks

“NBA sources have long said to keep an eye on the Bucks and their future, particularly with Middleton, who will soon be 32 years old,” Moore reported. “He has a player option this summer and is seeking that last, great, large contract. Teams will offer it if he chooses to explore his options. Despite coming off injuries, he showed what he was capable of late in the season, even in Game 5. If the Bucks feel they have to get younger and more athletic and can’t commit long-term, a key piece may be gone.”

Coach Bud Could Also Leave

Notably, he’s not the only key contributor to the Bucks’ recent success that could be on his way out. Shams Charania reported that the organization isn’t exactly pleased with coachMike Budenholzer:

“Mike Budenholzer’s status as Bucks head coach is very much shaky; there are questions across the organization, locker room, throughout this franchise about his status moving forward,” Charania said. “I’m told Budenholzer has two years and $16 million left on his contract. He is a championship coach. But you can look at three factors to why people are pointing the finger to Budenholzer, particularly the lack of adjustments to Jimmy Butler.”

The Bucks could be looking at historically high penalties for going over the luxury tax, so they might be tempted to blow the roster up. Whatever the case, the team could look quite differently next season.

Can LeBron win his fifth title? Can James Harden give the Nets their championship? Will Stephen Curry bring the Warriors back to the forefront? All these questions will be answered in the upcoming NBA season.

With all its star power, NBA fans ask themselves, who are the highest paid players in the league? We have that list as we countdown the 25 highest paid NBA players for the 2021-2022 season.

25.Nikola Jokic -$31,579,390

The NBA’s 2021 regular season MVP comes in at number25 on the list, but Nikola Jokić is looking to be number 1 in all of the NBA fans heart. Jokić was magic in 2020/21, with 26 points per game, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. Can he go double or nothing this season?

24. Devin Booker – $31,650,600

Devin Booker is a solid shooting guard and a two-time All-Star in the last two seasons, Booker had 25 points per game last year with 4 rebounds and 4 assists for a solid short season with the Suns.

23. Karl-Anthony Towns – $31,650,600

Two-time NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns comes in at number 23as one of the league’s top paid players. Towns has been a consistent performer for the Minnesota Timberwolves, having an average of 22.9 points per game and playing over 400 games for the franchise.

22. Kristaps Porzingis -$31,650,600

Latvian power forward Kristaps Porzingis has had a well-traveled career and joined the NBA in 2015 with the New York Knicks. Since moving to Dallas, Porzingis has kept it steady averaging 20 points per game and has improved his free throw percentage.

21. Jrue Holiday – $32,431,333

The widely veteran Jrue Holiday is coming off of a championship season with the Bucks and will look to add to that accolade this season. Holiday had 17 points per game last season with 6 assists and 4.5 rebounds, not bad.

20. Pascal Siakam – $33,003,936

Pascal Siakam is on a heavy salary for the Raptors, now entering his sixth season with the club, Siakam has earned his pay averaging 14.3 points per game, 2.7 assists, and 5.8 rebounds. Since 2019 Siakam has averaged over 20 points per game, a four-point increase.

19. Ben Simmons – $33,003,936

Under fire star player Ben Simmons comes inat number 19, and while his high salary may be a reason why some teams have not pulled the trigger on a trade, Simmons, despite the criticism, is a very good player. Averaging 15.9 points per game, 7.7 assists, but if he would listen to Doc Rivers a little more, he’d be much better.

18. Bradley Beal – $34,502,129

Like a fine wine, better with age, Bradley Beal has earned his paycheck, averaging 31 points last season, the last three seasons Bealhas been an all-star, and will enter his tenth season with the Wizards.

17. Rudy Gobert – $34,844,000

The 2017 blocks leader Rudy Gobert is a powerful center who has averaged 2.2 blocks per game and 12 points since joining the Jazz in 2013. Gobert has been a two-time All-Star and won the silver medal in Tokyo with France the last two seasons.

16. Kyrie Irving – $35,053,700

Kyrie Irving keeps on bringing it to the court, last season averaging 26 points per game with 6 assists and 4 rebounds. Irving has valuable experience, and the Nets will look to him to get that elusive NBA championship.

15. Anthony Davis – $35,361,360

Anthony Davis, when healthy, is one of the best in the NBA, a strong power forward/ center Davis only played 36 games last year but still showed his worth with an average of 21 points per game and 7.9 rebounds.

14. Khris Middleton – $35,500,000

The Bucks small forward/ shooting guard Khris Middleton has made his case, winning an NBA title and being a two-time all-star the last two seasons. Middleton had 20.4 points per game, 6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists last season.

13. Tobias Harris – $35,995,950

Journeyman Tobias Harris is now scoring for the 76ers and is as solid as it gets with an average of 16.3 points per game and 6.1 rebounds. Harris has been at his best since joining Philadelphia in 2018.

12. Jimmy Butler – $36,016,200

The face of the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler followed up his amazing 2020 with an even better 2021. Butler will be one of the key points of attack for the Heat who look to get back to basketball’s elite.

11. Klay Thompson – $37,980,720

Three-time NBA champion Klay Thompson is still among the best in the league. The shooting guard is a five-time All-Star from 2015-2019. Now after missing two seasons, Thompson is back and is ready to show he still has it.

10. Damian Lillard – $39,344,900

The six-time All-Star and hulking point guard for the Trailblazers is well deserving of his near $40 million salary. Lillard had 28 points per game last season and looks to have an even bigger year this season.

9. Giannis Antetokounmpo – $39,344,900

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a baaaaddd man, with a 2021 to dream about that saw him win the NBA championship and NBA Finals MVP. The man is a shot master at 20.9 career points per game and hustles in defense with 9 rebounds all-time.

8. Kawhi Leonard – $39,344,900

Kawhi Leonard is a two-time NBA champion and 5-time All-Star, now the 30-year-old is showcasing his talents with the LA Clippers. Leonard already had a career year with the Clippers and followed it up with a very successful sophomore season.

7. Paul George -$39,344,970

Paul George is the other go-to man of the LA Clippers, the seven-time All-Star and 2019 steals leader is a well-balanced player, helping in defense and scoring in offense.

6. Kevin Durant – $40,918,900

Kevin Durant is just solid, what else but greatness can be expected by the 2-time champion and 11-time All-Star. The Nets are hoping to get that last drop from Durant to finally win a championship for Brooklyn.

5. LeBron James – $41,180,544

LeBron James is more than just a basketball player, he has become a cultural icon, the unquestionable face of the NBA. LeBron, like Jordan, when it is all said and done could very well be the GOAT. For now, he is magic on the court and a face for equality and change off of it. One of the top 5 all-time greats.

4. Russell Westbrook – $44,211,146

Russell Westbrook has the difficult job of being one of four players that makes more than LeBron, but hey he can handle it. Westbrook is a 9-time All-Star, a league MVP, and a gold medalist. What is he missing? That NBA ring.

3. John Wall – $44,310,840

John Wall has some very good numbers, but the third highest paid player in the NBA? Wall is good, but he has GREAT agents. Wall makes more than Westbrook, Durant, and LeBron, let that sink in.

2. James Harden – $44,310,840

When he is not trying to force a trade, James Harden is one of the best NBA players out there, the beard got his move and immediately proved his worth for the Nets. Harden had close to career numbers in Brooklyn his first season. Still, that rollercoaster ride to leave Houston was a bit much.

1. Stephen Curry – $45,780,966

The highest paid player in the league is very well deserving of his salary, a fantastic player, Curry is a highlight reel three-point shooter and dribbler. In a league that has some fantastic players, Curry is a star that transcends the court.

The Bucks dropped Game 1 vs. the Orlando Magic and bounced back in a big way by beating them 4 straight times. Now, they have no margin for error and will need to pile up 4 consecutive wins again, as they fell to a 3-0 hole to the Miami Heat.

Moreover, perhaps they’ll have to pull it off without reigning NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo, as the Greek Freak left Game 4 with an ankle injury and is questionable for their next matchup.

That’s when they need Khris Middleton to step up the most. He responded with 36 points, 8 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 three-pointers in his team’s overtime win to the Heat. That was a much-needed breakout after being heavily criticized on social media.

Khris Middleton Gives NSFW Response To Bucks’Critics

Middleton spoke with The Athletic’s Sam Amick and fired back at his critics after the win, claiming that he doesn’t care about what people say and that winning a playoff game is harder than they think:

“Honestly, I could give two sh*ts about it. I mean, I’ve been hearing this for a long time. He’s been hearing it for a long time. But each year, we’ve improved.Winning a championship is not easy,” he said.“Winning a playoff series is not easy. Winning a playoff game is not easy. So each night, no matter how the game has gone for us personally or as a team, you’ve just got to go out there and continue to play and don’t worry about nothing. Fight. And don’t worry about nothing else except for that possession,” Middleton claimed.

Middleton Knows The Bucks Need Giannis Antetokounmpo

He went to add that, even though they managed to win Game 4 without him and their role players steppd up in a big way, they obviously need Giannis Antetokounmpo right by their side to win:

“(In this series), we’ve been in each and every game. We just lost it within the last four or five minutes, or the other night (in Game 3) with eight or 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. So I mean, he’s definitely — we need him out there. But when he’s not out there, we still have a pretty good group that we’re confident with,”he concluded.

The Bucks face an uphill battle but played better basketball without Giannis in Game 4. However, no team has ever come back from being down 0-3 and the Miami Heat are too talented and well coached to let that advantage slip right through their fingers.