Milwaukee Bucks star forward Khris Middleton has navigated a turbulent offseason, undergoing arthroscopic surgeries on both of his ankles to address injuries that marred his previous season. Despite these setbacks, Middleton remains optimistic and is expected to be ready for the start of the upcoming NBA season.
Middleton's Journey Through Injury
Middleton's left ankle issues can be traced back to a fateful game on February 6, when he landed awkwardly on Kevin Durant's foot while attempting a jumper. The incident resulted in a lingering sprain that plagued Middleton for the rest of the season and limited his performance. Durant was called for a flagrant foul for occupying Middleton's landing space.
To alleviate these persistent issues, Middleton underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left ankle. Later, he had a minor arthroscopic surgery in mid-June to clean up residual problems from a sprain he sustained during Game 2 of Milwaukee's first-round series against the Indiana Pacers.
It's safe to say that his injuries significantly impacted the Bucks' performance over the past seasons. Middleton was restricted to just 33 games last season due to knee issues, further compounded by an MCL sprain he suffered in the first round against the Chicago Bulls during the 2022 playoffs. This health setback culminated in Milwaukee's elimination by the Boston Celtics in a grueling seven-game series in the second round.
The Future Looks Bright
On a brighter note, Middleton has already commenced light court work, focusing on being fully prepared for opening night. His return to form could spell good news for the Bucks, who have made significant changes to their roster during the offseason.
The Bucks have signed Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and Delon Wright to minimum-salary deals and executed a blockbuster trade, sending Jrue Holiday to bring in Damian Lillard. Milwaukee fans and pundits alike are eyeing this new lineup with great anticipation, despite a few challenges.
Integrating New Talent
Integrating Lillard into the lineup alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo has proven more challenging than expected. The pick-and-roll dynamic between Lillard and Antetokounmpo did not develop as seamlessly as hoped last season. Moreover, the trade cost the Bucks some of their defensive prowess on the perimeter by losing Holiday, something that might shift their focus more towards an elite offense moving forward. In the words of The Athletic's Shams Charania, “Given the perimeter defense the Bucks lost by sending out Jrue Holiday in the Lillard trade, they are going to have to win with an elite offense moving forward.”
Age and Durability: A Constant Concern
Age and durability remain concerns for Milwaukee. Brook Lopez, a critical figure in their lineup, is now 36 years old, while Damian Lillard just turned 34. These factors add another layer of complexity as the team strives to find the right balance between experience and physical resilience going into the new season.
As the Bucks gear up for the new season, all eyes will be on how these new pieces fit together and how Middleton recovers from his surgeries. His return to top form could provide a substantial boost to a team that has its sights set on championship contention. The integration of new talents like Lillard alongside established stars like Antetokounmpo will be critical for Milwaukee as they navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.