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Will Khris Middleton Start For Bucks When He Returns?

Milwaukee Bucks center Khris Middleton (22) gets ready for a photo shoot

The Milwaukee Bucks are putting forth a valiant effort to turn their season around. Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, has been putting the team on his shoulders. Damian Lillard, an eight-time All-Star, has been a focused facilitator. Doc Rivers has turned over a new leaf, relying on the team’s young talent for support.

Now, they’re set to get Khris Middleton back in the near future, as the 13-year veteran has been medically cleared after undergoing bilateral ankle surgeries in the offseason. According to ESPN senior insider Shams Charania, Middleton is set to return “at some point after Thanksgiving.”

The big question is whether he’ll start when he returns?

Will Khris Middleton Start For Bucks When He Returns?

If Middleton is presumed to be a starter, the Bucks have been relying on Taurean Prince while he’s out.

A 3-and-D forward, Prince’s reputation was dinged up after a short stint with the Los Angeles Lakers; a common occurrence. However, Prince was better than he was given credit for in 2023-24, nailing 39.6 percent of his three-point attempts. He’s been even better this season, knocking down 52.9 percent of his three-point attempts. Though he’s not quite locking down opponents, he’s also been a respectable defender.

The problem is that Prince isn’t now, nor was he ever, considered a volume scorer. As reliable as Prince is as an off-ball shooter, his ability to create shots for himself on-ball leaves a lot to be desired.

This is an area where Middleton has a distinct advantage.

Because he’s never been reliant on athleticism as much as his skill, Middleton’s frequent injuries haven’t truly diminished his ability to score. In fact, after missing 49 games in the 2023-24 regular season, he came back to average 24.7 points per game on 48.2 percent shooting from the field in the postseason. Since joining the Bucks, he’s averaged 17.3 points per game while shooting 46.0 percent from the floor.

It’s Not Cut And Dry

Milwaukee could look at Middleton’s numbers and view him as the solution to their bench woes. To that point, the Bucks’ second unit ranks 22nd in points per game (32.7) this season.

There are other benefits to such a move though. Because of rotation patterns, it’s not like Middleton would only be playing against (or with) other players who come off the bench. Nonetheless, it could also be seen as a way to ease Middleton back in, at the very least. Lastly, Milwaukee having a perimeter player who they can rely on offensively when Antetokounmpo or Lillard is out could relieve some of the pressure placed on them.

The Last Word On The Bucks Starters

If Middleton starts, the Bucks could still start Prince, opting for a jumbo lineup.

However, Andre Jackson Jr. would have to be deployed from the bench. This would more than likely damage the team’s perimeter defense. Though Prince has guarded plenty of players well, Jackson is quicker, giving him a better chance of sticking with backcourt players. Due to Lillard’s defensive deficiencies, this has made Jackson a key starter.

The way it looks, the Bucks would be better off just bringing Prince off the bench and starting Middleton in his place. Aside from the previously mentioned benefits, bringing Middleton off the bench could have the smallest ripple effect on the team. Furthermore, it might promote continuity, which Milwaukee’s been lacking ever since they fired Mike Budenholzer.

Nonetheless, his scoring ability is just too useful for the Bucks to be overly reliant on Antetokounmpo and Lillard. If Middleton is in the starting lineup, he can take weight off of their shoulders from the outset. They may not need to constantly have heroic games just for the Bucks to beat a weaker opponent.

With that being said, though Antetokounmpo and Lillard have proven themselves capable of such performances throughout their career, it’s also just not the best recipe for long-term success.

Picture of Quenton S Albertie

Quenton S Albertie

Quenton Albertie, a native of Ft. Hood, TX, is a credentialed media member with work featured on SLAM Magazine, Sports Illustrated, USA TODAY and other major publications. Currently residing in Atlanta, GA, Albertie’s favorite teams are the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Broncos.

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