Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
There are going to be quite a few talented free agents on the market this coming offseason in the NBA, but there is one in particular to keep an eye on. Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard Khris Middleton will reach restricted free agent status, and he is by far one of the best free agents on the market despite not getting that type of hype.
It isn’t likely that the Bucks are going to allow him to walk in free agency, as they will have the right to match any offer another team makes. His first choice would likely be to re-sign with the Bucks, but there are quite a few other teams that he would fit perfectly with that can throw hefty offers his way.
During the 2014-15 season, Middleton ended up averaging 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He shot 46.7 percent from the floor overall and was one of the league’s most dangerous three-point shooters at a clip of 40.7 percent.
Add in the fact that Middleton is only 23 years old, and the future is incredibly bright for him. He is an excellent defender in addition to being an offensive threat, and that makes him even more valuable. Middleton has improved over the past couple years at an impressive rate, and he is poised to have another breakout season next year.
Quite a few teams could use some help at either the shooting guard or small forward positions, and there are many teams that could offer Middleton the same type of role on a much more serious playoff contender.
Needless to say, it will be interesting to see what teams show interest in signing Middleton this offseason. It will also be interesting to see what type of a price range he ends up landing in. Free agents have been getting bigger contracts over the past couple of years than what many think they deserve, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Middleton end up getting a large deal.
Milwaukee is headed in the right direction, so losing Middleton would be a big step back for them. They need to bring him back assuming they can afford him, but there are ways that teams could force a very tough decision from the Bucks. Offering him a big deal would make things difficult, as the Bucks will have quite a few more contracts to extend in the fairly near future as well.
While it may force a tougher decision, it just doesn’t seem all that likely that the Bucks are going to let him walk unless a team offers him close to a max deal. Middleton has too much potential to still grow into, which is a scary thought for the rest of the league that has to go up against him.
Evan Massey is the Green Bay Packers beat writer for www.RantSports.com, and also contributes across the NFL, MLB and NBA portions of the site. Follow him on Twitter at @Massey_Evan and like him on Facebook.
