Three-time All-Star forward Khris Middleton has exercised his $33.3 million player option for the 2025-26 season with the Washington Wizards.
Middleton, who spent 12 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, was traded to the Wizards on February 6 in a four-team deal involving Kyle Kuzma.
The 33-year-old played a significant role in the Bucks’ 2021 NBA championship but has struggled with injuries in subsequent years. His performance in the 2024-25 season marked career lows, with an average of 11.9 points per game and just 22.8 minutes per game, the lowest since his rookie year with the Detroit Pistons in the 2012-13 season.
Middleton joined Milwaukee midway through the 2013 season after being acquired from Detroit and gradually became a key player alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. Over his 12 seasons with the Bucks, he became a three-time NBA All-Star (2019, 2020, 2022), ranking second in franchise history for games played (735), third in points scored (~12,586), and first in three-pointers made (1,382).
His standout moment came during the 2021 playoffs, where he averaged 24 points and 5.3 assists in the Finals, playing a crucial role in the Bucks’ first championship in 50 years.
However, injuries have increasingly hampered his performance in recent years. Prior to the 2024-25 season, he underwent ankle surgeries and managed to play only 23 games that year, averaging 12.6 points with limited minutes and a role off the bench.
After his move away from the 2021 NBA Champions, the Wizards viewed Middleton as an important on-court player and a mentor for their young roster during their rebuilding phase.
Currently, Middleton remains under contract in Washington, focusing on enhancing the locker room culture and potentially evaluating the team’s young talent, all while managing the physical challenges of his lengthy career.
Throughout his career, which includes 776 games (671 starts) with Detroit (2012-13), Milwaukee (2013-2025), and Washington, Middleton has averaged 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. He has made 38.7 percent of his three-point attempts and 87.8 percent of his free throws.
(with agency inputs)