"This is the place where I saw myself finishing my career" - Khris Middleton speaks about his thought process during the free agency period

Khris Middleton gives an insight as to why he chose to remain in Milwaukee.

The recent offseason brought something to Khris Middleton that he hasn't often gotten during his time with the Milwaukee Bucks: the spotlight. After ten seasons with the team, Middleton opted out of his $40-million player option and became an unrestricted free agent. With multiple suitors vying for his services, Middleton took time to reflect and ultimately decided that staying in Milwaukee was the right choice.

"Where is my quality of life going to be the best? I felt deep down in my heart, and so did my family, that it would be here," Khris shared in a talk with Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Crossroads

Not to say that Middleton didn't let his thoughts wander. With longtime coach Mike Budenholzer getting the pink slip and the Bucks getting ousted in the first round of the NBA Playoffs despite finishing the regular season with the best record in the league, the 32-year-old forward had some tough decisions.

"It definitely crossed my mind a lot," Middleton said. "You start calculating things in your mind about where things could go. It's terrible for you, of course, but it was just one of those things where you're thinking about it, you're thinking about the pros and cons, you're thinking about the what ifs more times than not."

WHAT A PASS FROM KHRIS TO GIANNIS. pic.twitter.com/K9DNRxeVVT

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 22, 2023

Control what he can control

Realizing there was only so much he could control, Khris eventually signed a brand-new, three-year pact with the Bucks. With big man Brook Lopez and Giannis Antentokounmpo also signing extensions, it meant Milwaukee would be around to contend for the NBA title in the next few years.

"Some people say it's safe, but I think it was a smart decision for myself because this is the place where I saw myself finishing my career," Middleton said.

"I love playing alongside these guys. I love living in this city, so to me, it was a smart decision to forget the one year and sign up for a couple more years."

Khris Middleton is COOKING 👨‍🍳

pic.twitter.com/cHQGvxh2GS

— Bucks Nation (@BucksNationCP) December 18, 2023

Middleton on adapting to what the Bucks need: "I haven't worried about my role"