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After opting out of the final year of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent, Khris Middleton re-signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Just hours after the NBA opened free agency, the versatile forward is back with an Eastern Conference center.
The deal was immediately welcomed by fans who were confused by the Bucks’ move:
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“Fantastic overages”
Bucks fans have been wary of re-signing Khris Middleton for that kind of amount. He just came off an injury-plagued season in which he played in 33 games, starting 19 of them. Khash Money averaged 15.1 points, its lowest since the 2016-2017 season.
Middleton’s efficiency also declined. He had a 44.3%, 37.3%, and 89.0% split a year ago. This season, he shot 43.6% / 31.5% and 90.2%.
Khash Money picked up his game in the playoffs against the Miami Heat. He averaged 23.8 points on 46.5% of shooting, including 40.6% from depth.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo playing agonizingly for a bad fall, Middleton couldn’t get up big enough to help prevent the heat from causing a stunning upset.
The Milwaukee Bucks believe the three-time All-Star still has plenty in the tank. If he wasn’t injured, he probably would have put up better numbers.
Had that been the case, fan reactions to the re-signing would have been both relief and excitement.
The return of Middleton means that the Bucks must remain a legitimate title contender in the Eastern Conference. If they can also get Brook Lopez back or replace him with another strong big man, Milwaukee should still be in the mix to get out of the Eastern Conference.
Milwaukee Bucks fans can only hope Chris Middleton stays healthy
During the 2021-22 playoffs, Middleton only played two games. Antetokounmpo gamely pulled the team into Game 7 against the Boston Celtics. Many are still convinced that if Middleton was healthy, the Bucks would have easily won the series.
Middleton’s malaise continued the following season when he played just 33 games, the worst since 2016-17 when he only played 29 games. The Bucks desperately tried to save them from the playoffs, which only partially succeeded.
Khris Middleton looked like his old self against the Miami Heat, but was gassed late in the game. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s back injury forced the Bucks to overburden him and his body couldn’t adequately respond.
Middleton would remain in Milwaukee for three more years with the option of a third-year player. If he can stay healthy, the Bucks won’t regret signing him to said deal.
Also read: Charles Barkley dismisses Draymond Green about not having a contract on national TV: ‘He talks a lot about a guy who doesn’t have a job’
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