It’s an interesting problem- a guy like Middleton seems like the right guy to throw Max money at. Self-made, works his tail off, and his progression is really easy to see. His showing in the playoffs against the Celtics was one of the great Bucks playoff performances. His playing style seems to fit Giannis’ quite complimentarily.
But I don’t think the Bucks should offer a max contract.
Middleton under a max deal means he’s your second best player... for the rest of Giannis’ prime years. Does he look like the second best player on a Title team? He struggles with ball pressure, which often is exposed when the game is on the line. He struggles with the athletic/quicker players- and those are the guys you’re going to have to beat in the conference and nba finals.
I like Khris... I really do. He’s a good player. But this foregone conclusion that he’s a max guy is the same mistake that teams make all the time.
Ask the Warriors if they were good in letting Harrison Barnes go, knowing that it allowed them to get Durant. They’ll do that again every day and twice on Sunday. This is where the Bucks are now.
I see Middleton as a great #3 guy. He can concentrate on D, catch and shoot, step back 3s... but to rely on him with a max deal as your #2 is a mistake. The Bucks #2 isn’t currently on the roster. To truly be a Title contender, they need a true closer that can thrive on the attention Giannis attracts... I know Boris says Durant, but that ain’t happnin. But if you can sell Kawhi Leonard on a basketball dynasty in Milwaukee and keep them all (Middleton, Bledsoe, and Brogdon), you have Warriors-East. If you max Middleton and/or Bledsoe, you’re putting too much on the wrong guys.
