Is Khris Middleton Still a Factor?

Khris Middleton has been one of the most underrated players in the league for the past decade. He earned three All-Star selections. He was the second option on the 2021 NBA Championship team. Middleton was a great 3&D player who was a talented on- and off-ball player. But since his Finals run, he has not had a healthy season. For the past two seasons, Middleton has missed 60 games. A lower-body injury has caused him to miss key parts of the season. With the Celtics, Knicks, and Cavs getting better, would Middleton help the Bucks? At 33 and injured, fans wonder if Khris can help the Bucks in a Finals run.

When Middleton is available, he is great for the Bucks. Last year in the playoffs, Khris averaged 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. He made an instant impact on the court. He is great at taking the pressure off Giannis Antetokounmpo by getting his buckets. Yet, the lack of availability makes one wonder if he can continue to contribute at a high level. Middleton will never be able to live up to another All-Star selection. His production at his age will be hard to maintain as his body has taken many hits. The Bucks are a struggling franchise. It's a long shot to hope a 33-year-old could turn the team around.

The Bucks are struggling this season. Due to the aging role players on the roster, it has made it hard for them to earn wins. Instead of easy wins, the Bucks struggle to beat mediocre teams like the Pistons and Hornets. Even though the Bucks have two superstars, they are struggling to win their games. Middleton takes a lot of pressure off their first two options. But he will most likely not play a lot of back-to-back games. And with the East being top-heavy, it makes it hard for the Bucks to have a deep run. Last year showed that the sixth-seed Pacers were able to beat the injured Bucks team. Middleton’s dominated them in the playoffs. But he hurt himself to start the season.

The rest of Khris's career will be in rehab. He has missed significant time due to lower-leg injuries each year. Middleton will never be able to return to the peak he reached between 2018 and 2021. Khris is too important for the Bucks, as they signed him to a long-term deal. But it is hard to say that he can be the consistent third option. The more games that Middleton plays, the more the decline will continue to speed up. Khris Middleton's health could determine how soon the Milwaukee Bucks rebuild will start. It is hard to see if Khris will be the X factor for the Bucks due to his injury track record the past few seasons.

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