Former Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton reflected on his final years with the team and his eventual trade, stating that his time had simply run its course and it was best for both sides to part ways.
Milwaukee Bucks traded away their long-time player and a champion with them in 2021 Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards this trade deadline for younger Kyle Kuzma.
Reflecting on his couple of last years with the Bucks and the trade that sent him to Washington, Khris Middleton said it was time to for them to part ways. He understands that the trade had to happen, in order for the team to move forward.
"I’ve had many opportunities," said Middleton, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. "That’s the way I’ve kind of looked at it. My time ran out. Simple as that."
"I mean, I could say my time could have ran out a long time ago," he said. "They held onto me, believed in the potential, believed in the work that they saw. But I think this time, it was just we think a different route is better for our team going forward. And I can’t do nothing but respect that."
Middleton understands that the team couldn't rely on him as much as they used to.
"They leaned on me in a lot of different ways. Giannis [Antetokounmpo] goes down? They counted on me to take them to the next round. Things like that. Giannis is in and out or we need a big shot or we need whatever, they counted on me many times. And I guess they couldn’t count on me," Middleton noted.
Although, 3-time NBA All-Star believes he's still that player, stating it might take a little more time to come back to that level, but ultimately he can do it.
"As a player and as a person, I mean, I can’t control their opinions and beliefs on me. I can only control what I think of myself," Middleton said.
"I definitely think I’m still that player. I can still be that player. Yes, it may take a little bit of time, but I think ultimately I can. But they didn’t think that, and they got to do what’s best for them," he stated.
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