NBA

NBA free agency 2019: Khris Middleton is too important to Bucks

Khris Middleton is the Bucks’ free agent before the free agent.

Milwaukee is fully expected to re-sign the star forward, likely to a five-year deal for max money, as part of the bigger plan to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo as his time to become a free agent slowly inches closer (2021).

Middleton is an essential member of the core for the Bucks, a sharp-shooter that complements the just-named MVP. Middleton is a critical asset to the Bucks, and in order to keep The Greek Freak surrounded with talent, they must be willing to commit to Middleton — even for $190 million.

Last Season: Middleton set career highs in both rebounding (6.0), and assists (4.3) during the 2018-19 season, while averaging 18.3 points per game. He is a career 38.8% shooter from 3-point range.

Middleton received his first All-Star nod and helped guide the team to an NBA-best 60-22 record before losing to the eventual champion Raptors in the Eastern Conference finals.

Interested teams/rumors: Middleton signed a five-year, $70 million deal in 2015, and he opted out of the $13 million left on his contract.

He is eligible to sign a five-year, $190 million deal with the Bucks, or a four-year, $141 million contract with another team.

“He’s going back,” one executive from the Western Conference told The Athletic recently. “What I hear is he will get a fifth year, but take a little less at the beginning. It won’t be the max, but it’ll be close.”

Other teams reportedly considering signing Middleton include the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks.