While Giannis Antetokounmpo may be the leader of the Milwaukee Bucks, they would only get so far without the help of Khris Middleton, who provides crucial scoring services as a veteran wing.
And while it certainly seems like a good situation for Middleton, it doesn’t mean that he’s blind to the realities of being an NBA sidekick.
In a recent chat with the Milwaukee Sentinel, the 3x All-Star opened up about his future with the Bucks and his impending free agency in 2023.
“Even though I know you’re really not supposed to say it for all the reasons out there, I think everybody knows deep down that I want to stay. But also, you know it’s a business. Things change, things happen. You just never know. For sure I would love to stay. If everything works out,” he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Of course, if they give me whatever I want I’m there. I’m there.”
After undergoing surgery for ligament damage in his wrist, Middleton is expected to miss some time for the Bucks early on. It may be weeks before we see him take the floor.
Khris Middleton Is Hopeful For A Quick Return This Season
As he continues to get fully healthy, Middleton is putting his trust in the doctors to maximize his recovery. And while nobody knows what he will look like when he comes back, the Bucks will surely be better off with him on the floor.
“I’d like to,” he said on his return timeline for the 2022-23 season, “I would like to, but I’ve learned in the past to trust my training staff and doctors. They know what they’re doing. This is my first time going through this and they’ve been through it many times and they’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. So I’ve learned just to listen to them. I mean, you can push yourself, but don’t really.”
Thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have the means to be relevant for a long time. They will be on the hunt year after year. But if they want to really be competitive, they will need Khris Middleton to be at the top of his game this year.
Beyond that, who knows where he will be, but the Bucks can’t afford to let him go without finding a suitable replacement first.
