2021 NBA Champion Picks Up Option to Remain with Wizards

After a string of injuries had slowed down his career, Khris Middleton entered free agency for the third time in his career. The 2021 NBA Champion is recognized for his exceptional shooting accuracy and playmaking ability and was once regarded as one of the league’s underrated players. He helped the Bucks capture their second NBA Championship in 2021, their first in over fifty years. However, after 12 years in Milwaukee, Middleton was traded to the Washington Wizards in February, a move made by the Bucks to improve their performance with their younger players and to acquire Kyle Kuzma, who has since not been a consistent third scorer for the Bucks during the postseason. Now, it has been reported by ESPN NBA Insider, Shams Charania, that the three-time All-Star has picked up his $33.3 million option for the 2025-26 season. It is a move that the 33-year-old hopes will help secure his future in the NBA.

Middleton's career started with the Detroit Pistons, who selected him with the 39th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He saw limited action during his rookie year and was assigned to the Pistons G-League Team, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Middleton finished his rookie season averaging six points, one rebound, and one assist. In 2013, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and became a contributor to the team. He played in all 82 games his sophomore season and averaged 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists, a contrast to his time in Detroit. This began Middleton’s 12-year stint with the Bucks, where he became one of the league’s underrated players. The former Texas A&M Aggie shot a career-best 46 percent from the floor and 38 percent from three with the Bucks. Middleton made the playoffs nine times with the Bucks and, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, helped the Bucks win the 2021 NBA Finals. He was selected for the NBA All-Star Game in 2019, 2020, and 2022. However, after the success of the Finals victory and multiple all-star selections, Middleton dealt with the injury bug. He sprained his MCL in the 2022 playoffs and then suffered injuries to his wrist and both of his ankles in 2023 and 2024. While recovering from his injuries, the Bucks traded Middleton to the Wizards in 2025 in exchange for Kyle Kuzma. Middleton made his Wizards debut against the Bucks on February 21st and put up 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists in a Wizards loss.

The 33-year-old averaged 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists in 14 games for the Wizards. The Wizards are a team that is slowly rebuilding and has some promising young talent in Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly. Middleton’s health is still in question, but when he is fully healthy, he has shown that he can help a contending team. With the Wizards being a young team, Middleton has chosen to stay and become a mentor to the young core already in place in D.C.