Milwaukee Bucks: Grades for Khris Middleton’s five-year, $178 million deal
By Adam McGee
Fit
In contemplating Middleton’s fit with the Bucks, his personality is just as important as the well-rounded game that would make him a comfortable fit with almost any team around the NBA.
As if it wasn’t already clear for all to see, Antetokounmpo’s recent crowing as the league MVP left no doubt as to who the top dog is in Milwaukee, even if he may not be the Bucks’ highest paid player for the next couple of years.
Professional sports is very much a world full of large egos, and the dynamics that such differences in status can create can often tear apart otherwise good teams and strong locker room bonds.
At this point, the Bucks have seen more than enough of Middleton to know this isn’t an issue they have to worry about with his low maintenance demeanor. During his time in Milwaukee, Middleton has had the best seat in the house to watch Antetokounmpo become the phenomenon he now is, usurping the Charleston native as the team’s best player in the process.
That’s never led to meaningful disputes or discontent within the team, in spite of the best efforts of Jason Kidd and his highly questionable strategies for motivating young players.
In fact, Middleton and Antetokounmpo have developed a close bond, and writing for ESPN about his reasons for remaining in Milwaukee, Middleton highlighted the desire to close out a championship with his long-time teammate as a primary motivating factor:
"“It means a little more to me to work to win a championship with this group in this city because I was there for those darker days. Giannis [Antetokounmpo] and I have been through it all together. We have been at the very bottom and close to the top. When you rebuild a franchise brick by brick like that, it means a little bit more because you have literally put your blood, sweat and tears into improving. We have been called the worst team. I have been called the worst player in the league.”"
So much time is spent debating whether Middleton’s game makes him an ideal second star for Antetokounmpo that their seamless fit as teammates is often overlooked. The events that have surrounded stars such as Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler over the past two years point to the value in a more comfortable and content fit between the best players on any given team.
When it comes to his game, it certainly wouldn’t hurt if Middleton was to unlock another gear, but as it stands he’s already an accomplished scorer, skilled shooter, underrated ball-handler and playmaker, and a highly versatile defensive presence.
His role may lead to occasional challenges, but not to the extent that Middleton’s fit with Milwaukee should ever be questioned.