2021 NBA Champion Will Reportedly Be A Free Agent

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton will be a free agent.

Khris Middleton has been one of the best players on the Milwaukee Bucks for a decade.  

The 31-year-old sharpshooter has helped the franchise make the NBA Playoffs for seven straight seasons (and win the 2021 title over the Phoenix Suns). 

On Wednesday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Middleton will decline his player option and enter 2023 free agency later this month. 

Via Wojnarowski: "Three-time All-Star forward Khris Middleton has declined his $40 million player option with the Milwaukee Bucks to become a free agent, his agents Mike Lindeman and Jeff Schwartz of @excelbasketball tell ESPN."

A return to the Bucks on a new deal remains a possibility for Middleton. https://t.co/KYpy4qLYZe

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2023

Middleton is one of the best second-round picks in NBA history, and outside of his rookie season (Detroit Pistons), he has been with the Bucks for his entire 11-year career.  

The duo of Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo has been among the best in the league for many years.  

This past season, the Bucks had an excellent regular season, finishing as the first seed in the Eastern Conference with a 58-24 record. 

However, they shockingly lost in the first round of the NBA Playoffs to Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat (who were the eighth seed) in five games.  

THE HEAT ELIMINATE THE NO. 1 SEED BUCKS IN 5 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EfSbEyh918

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 27, 2023

Middleton had a down season, averaging 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per contest while shooting 43.6% from the field and 31.5% from the three-point range in 33 games. 

For reference, the three-time NBA All-Star averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 44.3% from the field and 37.3% from the three-point range in 2021-22.