Former Bucks Star Khris Middleton Makes Massive Decision on NBA Future

Mar 27, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (32) warms up before a game against the Indiana Pacers at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Former Milwaukee Bucks superstar Khris Middleton has made a decision on his NBA future.

The former Bucks champion has decided to pick up his $33.3 million player option for the 2025-26 season.

Washington Wizards three-time NBA All-Star Khris Middleton has picked up his $33.3 million player option for the 2025-26 season, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/skVrixdlA5

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2025

Middleton, a member of the Washington Wizards, was traded by the Bucks to Washington prior to the trade deadline.

The 33-year-old was traded to the Wizards along with rookie guard AJ Johnson in exchange for forwards Kyle Kuzma and Patrick Baldwin Jr.

The Bucks needed to get younger and more versatile at the forward position, and moving on from Middleton was the only realistic option. Although it was a sad day for the organization and its fans, it was clear that his time in Milwaukee was coming to an end.

Middleton was a cornerstone for the Bucks and a beloved figure in the Milwaukee community. Over his tenure, he averaged 17.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, shooting an efficient 46.1 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from three-point range across 735 games and 31.3 minutes per night.

He arrived in Milwaukee via trade in the summer of 2013, after spending just one season with the Detroit Pistons. What followed was a decade of consistency, three All-Star nods, and a crucial role in helping the Bucks secure their 2021 championship — a run that etched his name into franchise history.

This past season, Middleton appeared in just 14 games for the Wizards. He averaged 11.9 points, 4.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 22.8 minutes per contest while shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and 36.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Injuries, however, began to take a toll towards the end of his time in Milwaukee. He struggled to stay healthy, particularly during the 2023 and 2024 postseasons — when the Bucks needed him most. The version of Middleton that once thrived in clutch moments saw his consistency waver.

He’s expected to return to the Wizards this upcoming season, but given the team’s rebuilding status, it feels unlikely he finishes the year in Washington.

That said, Middleton secured a major payday — a win for him, regardless of where he ends up next.

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