Khris Middleton has exercised his player option to remain with the Washington Wizards for the 2025–26 NBA season. Despite recent injuries, the veteran All-Star brings valuable experience, efficient scoring, and leadership to a young and developing Wizards roster.
Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton has officially picked up his player option for the 2025–26 NBA season, solidifying his return to the franchise for at least one more year, ESPN's Shams Charania reported.
Khris Middleton
Khris Middleton
Khris Middleton
MIN: 22.79
PTS: 11.89 (55.11%)
REB: 3.7
As: 4.05
ST: 0.95
BL: 0.22
TO: 1.51
GM: 37
The decision ensures that the three-time NBA All-Star will continue to bring his veteran presence and scoring touch to a rebuilding Wizards squad.
Middleton, who was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Wizards at the trade deadline last season, made the move as part of Milwaukee’s strategy to retool their roster with younger talent. His decision to opt in comes amid a stretch of recovery and transition following multiple surgeries and a limited on-court presence last season.
Heading into his 14th NBA season, Middleton remains one of the most respected veteran forwards in the league. While injuries have slowed his production in recent years, he remains an efficient scorer and reliable secondary playmaker when healthy.
Last season, Middleton appeared in just 37 games, averaging 22.8 minutes per contest as he recovered from offseason surgery on both ankles. Despite limited action, he remained productive in his time on the floor, posting a true shooting percentage of 58.8%, one of the best marks of his career. On a per-36-minute basis, he averaged nearly 19 points and 6.4 assists, showing flashes of the All-Star form that made him a cornerstone in Milwaukee.
Between 2017 and 2022, Middleton averaged over 20 points per game in four out of five seasons, cementing his reputation as a clutch performer and dependable two-way wing. His ability to excel both on and off the ball made him a perfect fit next to a high-usage star like Antetokounmpo, and those traits will now be of high value in Washington’s young, evolving roster.
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