Khris Middleton thanks Milwaukee in social media publish

Khris Middleton #22 and members of the Milwaukee Bucks have fun after defeating the Phoenix Suns in Sport Six to win the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Discussion board on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Pictures/AFP

MILWAUKEE — Khris Middleton thanked Milwaukee for serving to form him “into the individual and participant I’m as we speak” per week after the Bucks traded the three-time All-Star to the Washington Wizards.

“From the second I stepped foot on this metropolis, you embraced me,” Middleton mentioned Friday in a social media publish. “Collectively, we skilled the rebuilding years, the emergence of a championship contender, and finally, the unforgettable journey to the 2021 NBA Championship. That magical run will stick with me endlessly — the late-game pictures, the comeback victories, and most significantly, bringing the Larry O’Brien Trophy again to Milwaukee after 50 years.”

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Middleton, who had been with the Bucks because the 2013-14 season, was despatched to Washington ultimately week’s commerce deadline together with 2024 first-round choose AJ Johnson in a deal that introduced Kyle Kuzma to Milwaukee. Each groups additionally acquired draft compensation within the commerce.

READ: NBA: Bucks GM says buying and selling Khris Middleton was hardest transfer

Bucks common supervisor Jon Horst mentioned this week that buying and selling Middleton “needs to be the toughest factor transactionally that I’ve ever carried out, from the human facet of it, the roster facet of it, the tradition of the staff, our group.”

Middleton thanked the Bucks in his publish.

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“To the Bucks group: Thanks for believing in me, creating me, and giving me the chance to develop from a commerce piece into an All-Star and champion,” he mentioned.

Middleton, 33, is the Bucks’ profession chief in 3-pointers (1,382) and ranks behind solely two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in video games (735) and minutes (23,039). He’s third in franchise historical past in factors (12,586) and assists (2,990).

READ: NBA: Bucks deal Khris Middleton to Wizards for Kyle Kuzma

Accidents had restricted him to 33 video games in 2022-23 and 55 in 2023-24. He didn’t make his 2024-25 debut till Dec. 6 after recovering from offseason surgical procedure to every of his ankles.

“To the Milwaukee group: This metropolis has change into my house,” Middleton mentioned. “The relationships constructed, the group initiatives we’ve labored on collectively, and the numerous recollections made each on and off the courtroom will stick with me endlessly.

“As I start this new chapter, I’m excited for the alternatives forward. However Milwaukee will all the time maintain a particular place in my coronary heart. This isn’t goodbye — it’s thanks.”