Despite a leisurely start, the Milwaukee Bucks still have hopes of competing for an NBA title in the 2024-25 season. The Bucks fought their way to a 10-9 record after starting the campaign 2-8.
As it stands, the Bucks are one of the most unsafe teams in the Eastern Conference when vigorous. The group is led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, their All-Star duo. The third option is Khris Middleton, a talented shooter when his health is at 100%. And finally, Brook Lopez, their powerful defensive player in the middle.
Three of the team’s four core players were named to the 2021 championship squad.
Unfortunately for the Bucks, this season may be their last hurricane. According to Danny Leroux of The AthleticLopez and Middleton could hit free agency next summer, ending their stint with Milwaukee.
“Elsewhere in the center market, Brook Lopez has established himself as a center who also fills that rare niche, but he will turn 37 in April, so teams will be concerned about his level of play and health going forward, even if he is interested in leaving the Bucks,” he said Leroux. “Lopez’s teammate Khris Middleton is also struggling with age and health issues. Although he will turn a relatively spry 34 years old next summer, Middleton underwent surgery on both ankles in the offseason and has played in just a total of 88 games over the last two seasons. Still, even a limited Middleton could add some roster lift, so the Bucks will face another difficult negotiation if Middleton declines his $34 million player option.
A significant number of NBA players already have contracts. So the 2025 free agent class appears to be quite weak.
Still, a few names can make a difference.@DannyLeroux takes a look at Jimmy Butler, Myles Turner and more ⤵️https://t.co/jaI3SJ63Fk
— The Athlete (@TheAthletic) November 29, 2024
Leroux argued that, at age 36, Lopez may not receive the offer he wants from the Bucks. The center has an expiring two-year, $48 million contract and will be 37 years old when he becomes a free agent.
As for Middleton, his age and injury history will factor into contract negotiations with Milwaukee. Unlike Lopez, however, the three-time All-Star has a $34 million player option that he can exercise next summer. However, his next potential contract with the Bucks could be rejected due to lost time due to injury, which could force him to look elsewhere.
The Milwaukee Bucks head coach talked about the importance of Khris Middleton
Middleton has yet to play a game for the Milwaukee Bucks this season due to injury. The Bucks are cautious about returning him to the lineup even though he has been medically cleared. After Saturday’s 124-114 victory over the Washington Wizards, head coach Doc Rivers talked about how important it was to get the All-Star forward back on the court.
A reporter asked Rivers about Antetokounmpo and Lillard increasing their minutes this season. According to the Milwaukee Bucks coach, he hopes the situation will be better managed once Middleton starts playing.
“We would like them to be in those 34, 33 [minute] coverage most nights. From there it was ups and down.” Rivers said (6:52). “When Khris comes back, it clearly helps us get his minutes down. This is the meaning of Khris.”
Rivers didn’t provide a specific answer about Middleton’s return, but suggested it could happen soon.
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Follow me on X at @BarbecueBrand follow us at @HardwoodHeroics and @GridironHeroics. Reign Amurao can also be reached by email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date with the latest sports news, click here!
Reign also publishes news updates regarding the NBA and WNBA Sportskeeda. He started out as a staff writer for AirAlamo, the NBA’s website for the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his works might as well be seen With Valley of the Sunsa website dedicated to the Phoenix Suns, which he co-authored.
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