Middleton declined the contract option with Milwaukee

Forward Khris Middleton declined a $40.4 million contract option with the Milwaukee Bucks and will try his luck on the NBA free agent market, ESPN reports.

Middleton, who will turn 32 in August, could still return to Milwaukee with a better contract.

The forward has made three All-Star appearances, but has suffered a string of injuries in recent years and even missed the first 20 games of last season following wrist surgery. He returned for six games but sat out the next 18 with inflammation in his right knee.

Khris Middleton has declined his $40.4M player option with the Bucks to become a free agent, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/LtpcaLv7Ac

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Middleton also missed the Bucks’ last ten games in the 2022 playoffs.