League sources confirmed that Milwaukee Bucks forward Chris Middleton refused to pick his player for next season the athlete. Here’s what you need to know:
- Middleton’s player option was worth $40.4 million.
- Middleton averaged 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game last season, and raised his averages to 23.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists in the postseason.
- Although his option was rejected, Middleton could return to Milwaukee.
the athleteInstant Analysis:
Why did he withdraw?
Opting out allows Middleton to try to secure a long-term contract in lieu of a one-year deal with the Bucks. While Middleton may not find a first-year contract worth $40.4 million on the open market, it is now possible for him to sign up for a longer commitment than the Bucks or any of the other 29 teams in the NBA.
Bucks general manager John Hurst publicly acknowledged that the team did not want Middleton to go anywhere else, a sentiment confirmed by new head coach Adrian Griffin in his introductory press conference. – insatiable
Go deeper
Zach Harper’s NBA Mock Draft: Picks, Bigger Needs, Commercial Prospects
What does this mean for the dollar?
This decision is not a shock to the dollar. Players regularly opt out when they feel confident they can find a similar value in a contract on the open market, and that should be there for Middleton.
Before he had minor arthroscopic surgery in June to address a right knee problem that had plagued him all season, Middleton put up strong offensive numbers in the Bucks’ five-game playoff series against the Heat – 23.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists a game. 34.6 minutes per game for a 46.5 percent field goal percentage and 40.5 percent 3-point percentage.
He is expected to return to the court in July for pre-season. He’s the best small forward on the market, according to John Hollinger’s ratings, and the Bucks will need to put up a competitive showing to keep him. – insatiable
what are they saying
“Obviously Chris and Brooke (Lopez) are the foundation of what we’ve done, of who we are,” Hurst said on May 5.
“I think we greatly appreciate him now and in the future,” he added. They both have different decisions, but decisions are ahead of them. We have different options with these guys. What is clear is that we want to figure out a way forward with these people. There are so many different avenues—extensions, selection, selection, free agency—that, when appropriate, or when appropriate, we have been involved in navigating directly with them and their representatives. We will continue to do so. How it goes, I don’t know. In the end, none of these decisions are one-sided, in the case of these two men. We have a role in it. They have a role in it. We’ll continue to work with them through that.”
“As for me, competing with them all these years, I’m probably one of the biggest advocates for (Chris and Brooke),” Griffin said after his inaugural press conference on June 6. “I’ve seen firsthand how good these guys are. John and I will sit down, but I’ve reached out to all the guys.” And I was delighted. It’s obviously a big part of what we’re trying to do going forward, it’s huge pieces. You said this in the press conference, Giannis is arguably the best player in the world, but Chris Jr (Holiday) and Brooke, you can take them with any Another team, they’re obviously number one. That just speaks to the special talents we have on this list.”
background story
Middleton was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft. He played a year in the Detroit organization before he was acquired by the Bucks. He has spent the past 10 seasons in Milwaukee.
Middleton started 19 of 33 games last season, averaging 24.3 minutes, and started all five of Milwaukee’s postseason games in a first-round elimination by the Heat.
required reading
(Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)