3 biggest high-risk, high-reward NBA free agents this offseason
By Jakob Ashlin
Biggest high-risk, high-reward NBA free agents: 2. Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
Over the last decade, Khris Middleton has been one of the most impactful two-way wings in the NBA. Since entering the league in 2012-23, he has knocked 1,267 3-pointers at a 38.8 percent clip.
The three-time All-Star has been a vital piece of the Bucks’ recent success. Since 2018-19, the Milwaukee Bucks have posted the best winning percentage in the NBA (69.3). During their 2021 championship run, he averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.5 steals.
However, he suffered a knee injury in the 2022 playoffs. He missed the rest of the postseason. During the offseason, he also underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his wrist.
Coming off the injuries, Middleton’s numbers were down this season. In 33 games, he averaged 15.1 points per game, while shooting 31.5 percent from 3 (his lowest mark since his rookie season). Yes, that is a small sample size, but it is still alarming for the 31-year-old max contract candidate.
Middleton should receive a valuable, long-term deal. He has been the second option on a championship team, and his skill set is perfectly tailored for the modern game. Nevertheless, there is a risk that his production does not bounce back.