It reportedly will cost the Milwaukee Bucks a pretty penny to retain soon-to-be restricted free agent Khris Middleton. The 23-year-old swingman could receive an offer sheet equivalent to about $15 million per season, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News. Two teams linked to Middleton are the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.
Middleton was one of the bright spots this season for Milwaukee, but keeping the 6-foot-7 wing could end up costing a significant chunk of cap space - especially after his solid performance in the postseason.
"A league executive told Sporting News that Middleton would garner a contract similar to that being paid to (Dallas Mavericks forward) Chandler Parsons, which was three years and $46 million," Deveney wrote Thursday. "The playoffs did nothing to discourage teams from that, as Middleton - despite having some poor shooting nights - was solid defensively and took the offensive onus (upon) himself when some of his younger teammates wilted."
Middleton averaged 13.4 points in the regular season and 15.8 points - a team-high - in the first-round of the playoffs, all while proving himself to be a capable defender. During the regular season, Middleton showed his outside touch to the tune of shooting 40.7 percent from 3-point range.
Deveney touched on Middleton's restricted free agency earlier this month, pointing to the 23-year-old's unique set of skills as the reason why he's expected to receive pricey offer sheets in July.
"Khris Middleton enters the offseason in a pretty extraordinary position. He is exactly the kind hybrid forward teams love to see these days: consistent with the 3-point shot, athletic enough to defend small forwards and long enough to handle power forwards," Deveney wrote.
Dallas offered Parsons his three-year deal in an effort to deter the Houston Rockets from matching it. Although Milwaukee could have the cap room to match such an offer, it's uncertain just how highly the team views Middleton in terms of money.
Potential suitors for Middleton reportedly may include the Knicks and the Lakers, although it's worth noting those two teams have been linked to just about every soon-to-be free agent.
