Khris Middleton

Middleton has been one of the most consistent players in the NBA over the past three seasons. His average points have been 20.9, 20.4 and 20.1; his average rebounds have been 6.2, 6.0 and 5.4; and his average assists have been 4.3, 5.4 and 5.4. That's also come along with consistent shooting percentages. Last season, he slashed 44/37/89. The veteran also made his third All-Star game in four years. Nothing is expected to change this year. He'll be option 2A with Jrue Holiday as 2B behind Giannis Antetokounmpo. The only thing fantasy managers need to be wary about is that Middleton tore a ligament in his wrist and underwent surgery in July. However, he's expected to be ready near the start of the regular season, so he shouldn't have a significant draft day discount. Last year, Middleton ranked 35th in per-game fantasy production in eight-category leagues, and he should again be a strong target in the 30-40 range of most fantasy drafts.

Middleton continued his steady play in 2020-21 despite not being named to the All-Star team. He played an important role as the Bucks' No. 2 offensive option behind two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. In 33.4 minutes per game, Middleton averaged 20.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, a career-high 5.4 assists and 1.1 steals. He also shot an impressive 48/41/90, fueling his second-most efficient season from a true-shooting perspective (58.8 TS percentage). Middleton's well-rounded stat line led to him ranking 35th in fantasy on a per-game basis -- his second straight year in the top-35 and his sixth straight inside the top-60. Middleton's role should stay practically identical in 2021-22 with the Bucks coming off their first NBA title in 50 years. His steady play should prompt fantasy managers to confidently select Middleton in the third or fourth round in standard leagues.

Middleton had another strong season in Milwaukee, almost putting together a 50/40/90 shooting season, finishing just short with 49.7 FG%, 41.5 3P% and 91.6 FT%. He averaged a career-high 20.9 points, a career-high 6.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and a career-high 2.4 threes in 29.9 minutes. Like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Middleton's minutes were limited as the Bucks went 56-17 and were on the winning end of plenty of blowouts. That didn't stop him from having big games, however, as he secured seven double-doubles and had six efforts with at least 30 points, including a 51-point performance against the Wizards. Heading into the 2020-21 season, Middleton's role should be safe as the Bucks' clear No. 2 option behind Antetokounmpo, though the Bucks did make a move to add Jrue Holiday, who could take some ballhandling responsibilities away from Middleton. Still, while Middleton has the reputation as a shooter, his ability to stuff the stat sheet often goes unnoticed, making him a quality fantasy target in the third or fourth round of most drafts.

Playing under new head coach Mike Budenholzer, Middleton earned his first All-Star appearance of his seven-year career. In 77 games, Middleton averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steal. While he was arguably less productive than in 2017-18, coach Budenholzer scaled back Middleton's workload to 31.1 minutes per game from the previous mark of 36.4 minutes per game. But Middleton did manage to secure career highs in assists (4.3), rebounds (6.0) and made threes (2.3). Playing next to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Middleton's ceiling is relatively capped, though it's possible the loss of Malcolm Brogdon will force the ball into Middleton's hands more. Ultimately, we shouldn't expect a big role or skill change from the 28-year-old wing on this established Bucks roster, but he's clearly worth an early-to-mid-round fantasy selection given his All-Star pedigree.

Despite having his worst three-point shooting campaign since joining Milwaukee (35.9 percent), Middleton posted a career-high 20.1 points per game while still shooting a solid 46.6 percent from the field overall. Middleton is also one of the best free-throw shooters in the league, not falling below 88.0 percent over the past three seasons. He’s much more than a scorer, however, averaging 5.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals across 36.4 minutes. Middleton’s health has rarely been a concern, either. He’s played at least 79 games since joining the Bucks in all but one season, when he tore his hamstring in 2016-17, limiting him to 29 outings. There’s nothing to suggest Middleton will see his usage dip, and if the 27-year-old can get back on track from three-point range, it’s possible he has a career year. All things considered, Middleton shouldn't get past the third round in Fantasy drafts.

Middleton, who made just 29 appearances last year after recovering from a torn hamstring, posted 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals across 30.7 minutes per game. Though it was a small sample size, Middleton continued to show why he’s a top-tier perimeter threat, hitting a career-high 43.3 percent of his attempts from distance. Middleton has more Fantasy value most perimeter shooters due to the fact that he’s a top-tier defender on the wing and has the ability to be a playmaker. For example, during a game on March 3 against the Clippers, Middleton dropped an impressive 19 points, nine assists, four rebounds and four steals while committing just two turnovers. His Fantasy stock should be on the rise next season considering he’ll have a fully healthy offseason to keep improving his game. Plus, with Jabari Parker (who averaged a hair over 20 PPG last season) out with an ACL tear likely until February 2018, Middleton should have a more prominent role within the Bucks’ offense than he has in the past.

Middleton shook off a sluggish start to last season to fully justify the Bucks' decision to re-sign him to a five-year, $70 million contract the previous summer. The 25-year-old proved he wasn't merely just a complementary player, as he led the team with 18.2 points per game and chipped in averages of 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 three-pointers and 1.7 steals in 36.1 minutes per game. Middleton's ascending usage rate did come with a drop in his field goal percentage to a 44.4 percent mark and a jump in his turnovers (2.3 per game), but those are still passable figures for a player who gives the Bucks a lot on both ends of the court. Heading into training camp, it was expected that Middleton would reprise his role as the Bucks' top three-point shooter and one of their primary scoring threats, but those plans were foiled when he suffered a torn hamstring during a workout. After undergoing surgery in early October, Middleton is expected to miss six months, likely sidelining him for much of the season. While the Bucks are hopeful to get Middleton back in time for a potential playoff push, it's unlikely that he'll play enough games to justify a draft pick in single-season leagues. That said, he's still an integral part of the Bucks' long-term vision and is expected to take on a major role once he returns to full health, so it may be worthwhile to retain him in keeper formats.

The fourth-year guard turned fantasy heads last season, finishing a second consecutive strong season by helping lead Milwaukee back to the playoffs. Averaging 13.4 points, 2.3 assists, and 4.4 rebounds over 79 games played, the 6-7 Middleton continued to develop into one of the team's most dependable scoring threats. His game isn't flashy, but Middleton was a model of efficiency last season, shooting nearly 47 percent from the field and better than 40 percent from three. Considering how well he shot from the outside, his 3.4 attempts per game are a relatively low total. The Bucks hope to see that number rise in 2015-16. Despite inking Middleton to a five-year, $70 million deal this offseason, Milwaukee likely won't ask Middleton to carry a significantly heavier burden offensively. Middleton makes his living as a catch-and-shoot, three-and-D player, and with the young talent around him, that won't have to change. Although backup shooting guard O.J. Mayo enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence this past season and the Bucks selected Rashad Vaughn with their first-round pick, Middleton will enter the year as the clear-cut starter with ample fantasy upside. His versatility allows him to defend three positions, so he figures to rank among the team's leaders in minutes per game in what should be one of the league's deepest rotations.

Middleton enjoyed a productive first season in Milwaukee after coming over from Detroit in the Brandon Jennings-Brandon Knight swap. The second-year forward was the only Buck to play in all 82 games, averaging 12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 30 minutes per game. Middleton flourished as the do-it-all forward for a Bucks team stricken with injuries for nearly the entire season. A natural small forward, Middleton played 23 percent of his minutes at shooting guard last season and even dabbled as a power forward in some lineups. He figures to play a similar role this season and could see even more time at shooting guard with the additions of small forwards Jabari Parker and Jared Dudley to the roster. However, even if he plays close to 30 minutes per game again, Middleton isn't an overly productive fantasy option. He shoots a middling percentage (44 FG%) for his position and has trouble creating his own looks. With that said, he flashed a much-improved outside stroke, raising his three-point percentage by more than 10 percentage points over his rookie year (from 31 to 41 percent). If he can carve out a role as a hard-nosed defender who can rebound and shoot the three efficiently, Middleton should again hold down a consistent rotation spot.

Middleton came to Milwaukee as part of the mid-summer Brandon Jennings deal. The team initially expressed interest in making him an integral part of the rotation, but the addition of Caron Butler will make finding minutes a bit more difficult.

Middleton was selected by the Pistons in the second round of the 2012 draft. He was the last player signed to the Pistons’ 15-man roster and could be in line for a D-League stint this year.