NBA analyst claims Bucks 'overinvested' $93 million in star forward

After playing just 33 games in the 2023 season, Khris Middleton earned a nearly $100 million contract extension from the Milwaukee Bucks.

Some questioned the decision then, and after a mediocre 55-game campaign last season, more than ever. Middleton averaged 15.1 points and 5.3 assists on 49.3% shooting.

Unless traded, his contract leaves Milwaukee's front office with little room to work with in potential deals. Trades are now more important than ever for the Bucks because superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo hinted at potentially parting ways if they fall short of a championship.

This is why Bleacher Report predicted Middleton's $31.7 million salary for this season as one of the 10 worst in the NBA.

"The Bucks may not have the right makeup of players to win another title despite boasting top-end talent like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard," B/R's Eric Pincus wrote.

"Middleton was a huge part of the team's 2021 title, but he hasn't been at full strength the last couple of years," Pincus continued. "By no means is he a bad player (quite the opposite), but Milwaukee is overinvested in Middleton as their third-best player when he hasn't been able to be that on a day-to-day basis for the past 1-2 years."

Overinvesting is the perfect word to describe Middleton's deal, as it will be near impossible to find a suitor willing to send back equal value. At 33 years old, he can still contribute to a championship contender, but it seems unrealistic for the Bucks to continue relying on Middleton as the No. 3 option.

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