MILWAUKEE (AP) 鈥� Khris Middleton thanked Milwaukee for helping shape him 鈥渋nto the person and player I am today鈥� a week after the Bucks the three-time All-Star to the Washington Wizards.
鈥淔rom the moment I stepped foot in this city, you embraced me,鈥� Middleton said Friday in a 鈥淭ogether, we experienced the rebuilding years, the emergence of a championship contender, and ultimately, the unforgettable journey to the 2021 NBA Championship. That magical run will stay with me forever 鈥� the late-game shots, the comeback victories, and most importantly, bringing the Larry O鈥橞rien Trophy back to Milwaukee after 50 years.鈥�
Middleton, who had been with the Bucks since the 2013-14 season, was sent to Washington at last week鈥檚 trade deadline along with 2024 first-round pick AJ Johnson in a deal that brought Kyle Kuzma to Milwaukee. Both teams also received draft compensation in the trade.
said this week that trading Middleton 鈥渉as to be the hardest thing transactionally that I鈥檝e ever done, from the human side of it, the roster side of it, the culture of the team, our community.鈥�
Middleton thanked the Bucks in his post.
鈥淭o the Bucks organization: Thank you for believing in me, developing me, and giving me the opportunity to grow from a trade piece into an All-Star and champion,鈥� he said.
Middleton, 33, is the Bucks鈥� career leader in 3-pointers (1,382) and ranks behind only two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in games (735) and minutes (23,039). He鈥檚 third in franchise history in points (12,586) and assists (2,990).
Injuries had limited him to 33 games in 2022-23 and 55 in 2023-24. He didn鈥檛 make his until Dec. 6 after recovering from offseason surgery to each of his ankles.
鈥淭o the Milwaukee community: This city has become my home,鈥� Middleton said. 鈥淭he relationships built, the community initiatives we鈥檝e worked on together, and the countless memories made both on and off the court will stay with me forever.
鈥淎s I begin this new chapter, I鈥檓 excited for the opportunities ahead. But Milwaukee will always hold a special place in my heart. This isn鈥檛 goodbye 鈥� it鈥檚 thank you.鈥�
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AP NBA:
The Associated Press
