Bucks Moving Khris Middleton To Reserve Role

The Milwaukee Bucks are making a significant change to their lineup, with Khris Middleton being removed from the starting five and moved to a bench role moving forward, per NBA insider Chris Haynes.

This decision comes as the Bucks look to establish consistency with their first unit while Middleton continues to recover from offseason ankle surgeries. The 33-year-old has been on a minutes restriction since his return, and though he made his season debut on December 6, he’s only recently started in his past seven games.

Middleton, who has averaged 12.7 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds in 23.8 minutes per game this season, has been a steady contributor despite the limited minutes. His shooting line of .447 from the field, .404 from beyond the arc, and .852 from the free-throw line remains solid, but the Bucks are clearly prioritizing health and continuity as they move through the regular season.

Sources: Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton is returning for tonight’s game against San Antonio Spurs and will come off the bench as the team tries to find continuity in starting lineup. #haynesbriefs pic.twitter.com/CgKOD5Oo4e

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 8, 2025

The move to bring Middleton off the bench will help coach Doc Rivers manage his minutes and ensure Middleton doesn’t overexert himself while easing back into full strength. With a starting lineup that now includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, Andre Jackson, and Taurean Prince, the Bucks should have enough firepower and flexibility to handle this new rotation.

This decision also adds another layer of intrigue to the trade speculation surrounding Middleton, especially with reports circulating about the Bucks’ interest in Heat star Jimmy Butler. However, it’s clear the Bucks are in no rush to make a move, and any trade discussions involving Middleton would need to make sense from both a roster and financial perspective.

For now, Middleton will be available to play on Wednesday against San Antonio, as the Bucks continue to navigate their season with one eye on both winning games and potential roster adjustments.