What happens now that Khris Middleton has opted out of his contract?

The Bucks are at a crucial crossroads regarding their core.

© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Should the Milwaukee Bucks and their fans be worried about the news of the team’s All-Star wingman Khris Middleton opting out of his contract? 

There’s certainly room for concern, especially given Middleton’s significance to the squad. A veteran ballhandler, playmaker, and scorer, the former Texas A&M star had a crucial role in the Bucks’ ascension to the top of the NBA in 2021 and their lofty status as a title contender.

However, his last campaign with the Bucks was marked by injuries that limited him to just 33 games. He finished the regular season averaging just 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per contest.

Will Middleton return?

From the look of things, the Bucks and Middleton are expected to soon agree on a new contract that would keep the latter in Milwaukee, competing with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday for the next few years. 

After all, Middleton was a part of the process of selecting the team’s new head coach Adrian Griffin. It was a distinction given only to him and Giannis. Certainly, this honor would not have been handed to Middleton had he not been in the team’s plans.

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. pic.twitter.com/k0sO5qhSk6

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2023

Running it back

Despite having numerous question marks regarding their roster, the Bucks remain a formidable squad capable of winning it all. Middleton returning would certainly give the team a huge boost, as he already proved his worth in their most recent championship run.

Although he struggled in the regular season, he picked it up in the Bucks’ first-round loss to the Miami Heat, where he averaged 23.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game.