Khris Middleton Exercises Player Option
Khris Middleton, the Washington Wizards’ three-time NBA All-Star, has decided to exercise his player option worth $33.3 million for the 2025-26 season, as reported by ESPN on Monday. The talented forward, who previously enjoyed a celebrated career with the Milwaukee Bucks, was traded to the Wizards during the previous season’s trade deadline.
Challenges and Performance
As Middleton approaches his 14th year in the league, he has faced significant challenges due to injuries over the past few seasons. After undergoing surgeries on both ankles last offseason, he played only 37 games during the last campaign, logging an average of 22.8 minutes per game. Despite his limited appearances, Middleton continues to showcase his scoring prowess and playmaking skills, posting a notable true shooting percentage of 58.8%, which ties for his third-best career performance in this category.
Over 36-minute intervals, he averaged nearly 19 points alongside 6.4 assists, underscoring his efficiency on the court.
Middleton’s Journey and Impact
Middleton’s remarkable journey from the NBA G League to becoming an All-Star is primarily attributed to his seamless synergy with star players like Giannis Antetokounmpo. He consistently delivered scoring outputs exceeding 20 points per game during a notable five-year span, from the 2017-18 season to the 2021-22 season. Notably, he played a vital role alongside Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday, helping the Bucks clinch their first NBA championship in half a century.
Future with the Wizards
Middleton’s continuation with the Wizards presents an opportunity for him to further solidify his place in the league while contributing to the team’s rebuild effort after recent changes in their roster.
