The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly will match any offer sheet given to soon-to-be restricted free agent Khris Middleton. Despite Middleton potentially receiving an offer of $15 million annually, there's reportedly "no scenario" in which Milwaukee lets him walk in free agency.
Middleton was one of the bright spots for Milwaukee, especially during the playoffs. With teams more likely to spend because of the projected cap increase next summer, one report claimed Middleton could land a new deal as high as $46 million over three years. Regardless of what teams offer the 6-foot-7 wing this summer, Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler said Tuesday he was told emphatically there was "no scenario in which Middleton isn't back with the Bucks."
The 23-year-old Middleton averaged 13.4 points per game in the regular season, but he upped his production in the playoffs to the tune of a team-high 15.8 points per game. Moreover, the 6-foot-7 wing established himself this season as an up-and-coming two-way player with the potential to become a legitimate floor spacer, thanks to his 40.7 percent shooting from 3-point range. Assuming Middleton's defense continues to develop, he also has the potential to be a legitimate 3-position defender - 2-guard, small and power forwards - due to his size and athleticism.
Those traits, according to Sporting News' Sean Deveney, has some in the league believing Middleton will receive a Chandler Parsons-esque salary.
"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 May 21. "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."
The New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers both were reportedly interested in Middleton at one point this season.
