Bucks already facing 1 injury question mark leading up to camp

After a busy offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks are about to open training camp as they aim to avenge last season's early playoff exit.

While the hope was that they would have Khris Middleton, who underwent surgery on both ankles in the early part of the offseason, healthy, that may not be the case. Per NBA insider Chris Haynes, the forward has not yet been cleared for 5-on-5 action. However, Haynes noted that Middleton is coming along nicely following the surgeries and that he's expected to participate in most activities.

The Bucks are rightfully being cautious with Khris Middleton

Middleton has been injured at some point in each of the past three seasons, which has derailed the title hopes of the Milwaukee Bucks mightily. They need him as the third fiddle behind their top duo in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard if they want to get to the mountaintop, and if he has to miss out on a few drills in camp, so be it. They need him healthy after two off-season surgeries.

Of course, you also don't want Middleton to lose out on valuable reps. Recovering from duel ankle surgeries is no easy feat, and he almost certainly hasn't been able to work out as hard as he would have liked to this offseason. It's a tough spot to be in. However, due to Middleton's recent injuries, the Milwaukee Bucks should ultimately take the cautious route, as it has to be about the long game.

This does not mean it's time to slam the panic button on Middleton or Milwaukee's 2024-25 season. No one should be shocked that this front office is being as cautious as possible with one of their top three players after two surgeries. As Haynes noted, Middleton is expected to take part in most of the team's activities at camp, so this is not a doomsday scenario for Milwaukee.

More than ever, the Milwaukee Bucks need Middleton later in the season more than right at the start.

The Bucks open training camp on October 1 and then kick off the preseason on October 6 against the Detroit Pistons. It would unquestionably be encouraging and would put panicking fans at ease if Middleton got cleared to take a few shots in that preseason game. Only time will tell, but Middleton's health is something to monitor, as it has been for the past few years.

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