Milwaukee Bucks: How will franchise history view Khris Middleton?
By Ben Sewell
Longevity
Outside of the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson and Bob Lanier, a key feature of almost all of the players considered to be the greatest Bucks of all-time is a lengthy stay with the franchise.
In other words, unless you can win a championship, play a key role in winning at an elite level, or ideally both, reaching the higher tiers of Bucks greats requires continued excellence while wearing a Milwaukee uniform.
Currently, Middleton is in the midst of his fifth season in Milwaukee. How many more he will play with the Bucks is anyone’s guess as he could enter unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2019, and as the Bucks aggressively look to push forward with their current team, he may even become a potential trade chip as his current contract winds down.
Barring a sudden and unlikely turn of form from the Bucks and Middleton as an individual, if his time in Milwaukee is to stretch no further than 2019, the status of being a good or very good player whose reputation won’t necessarily transcend his playing days will await Middleton.
If Middleton is to stay in Milwaukee, he can probably expect to be offered a three or four year deal in the summer of 2019, though, which would extend his stay over the 10-year mark. This is the type of scenario where a much loftier legacy could be established as he’d then have a chance to climb the all-time lists in terms of total games, points, etc.
Even more importantly, such a deal would see the Bucks stick with Middleton for a period that should prove to be the prime for Giannis Antetokounmpo and a team with really lofty goals.
Having already built a good Bucks career, turning it into a great one will likely rely on Middleton staying and remaining effective beyond his current deal, and being a key part of future team success.