Milwaukee Bucks star forward Khris Middleton has had a busy offseason, undergoing arthroscopic surgeries on both ankles. These procedures were necessary to address multiple injuries that had plagued Middleton throughout the last season.
Middleton is expected to be ready for the start of the upcoming season. His left ankle injury traces back to February 6, when he landed awkwardly on Kevin Durant's foot after attempting a jumper. This incident resulted in a sprain that would linger for the remainder of the season. Kevin Durant was called for a flagrant foul for occupying Middleton’s landing space. Middleton underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left ankle.
Injury Impact on the Bucks
Middleton had a minor arthroscopic surgery in mid-June to clean up lingering issues from a sprain suffered during Game 2 of Milwaukee's first-round series against the Indiana Pacers. His injuries have undoubtedly impacted the Bucks' past performances. Last season, Middleton was limited to just 33 games due to knee issues.
Additionally, Middleton suffered an MCL sprain in the first round against the Chicago Bulls during the 2022 playoffs, an injury that made him miss critical games. Milwaukee's playoff run was cut short by the Boston Celtics in a challenging seven-game series in the second round.
Through it all, Middleton has already started light court work with an eye on being fully prepared for opening night. His return will be pivotal as the Bucks look to regain their competitive edge.
Offseason Moves and New Challenges
This offseason has seen significant changes to the Bucks' roster. Milwaukee signed Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and Delon Wright to minimum-salary deals to bolster their depth. However, the most notable move was the trade of Jrue Holiday in exchange for Damian Lillard.
Integrating Lillard into the lineup alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo has proven more challenging than anticipated. The pick-and-roll between Lillard and Antetokounmpo did not develop as smoothly as hoped last season. Age and durability remain concerns for Milwaukee throughout this season, with Brook Lopez now 36 years old and Damian Lillard just turning 34.
Defensive Concerns and Offensive Strategies
The trade-off in sending out Jrue Holiday for Lillard has left the Bucks with a gap in their perimeter defense. According to 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.” This sentiment underscores the importance of Middleton’s health and on-court performance, as his return could be the difference in securing an elite offensive output.
The Bucks are entering a season filled with both promise and uncertainty. Middleton's recovery and return will be closely watched, not just for his individual performance or medical success, but for how it influences the entire team dynamic. As the team bets on seasoned players while integrating new talent, the journey to coherence and competitiveness will unfold with each game.