Khris Middleton will always be among the most beloved players by Milwaukee Bucks fans. He was a crucial part of the team in the first part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, and the team doesn't win the 2021 championship without him. With all that said, it's becoming increasingly clear that [the team made the right move](https://behindthebuckpass.com/longtime-bucks-player-falling-apart-with-no-hope-recovery-middleton) in choosing to trade him almost a year ago.
Milwaukee dealt Middleton to the Washington Wizards last February, and his level of play hasn't risen since he made the move to the nation's capitol. Bucks fans were reminded that Khris's best days are behind him when he went 2-for-10 on Tuesday night against the Orlando Magic.
This is just another reminder of why Milwaukee decided to move on in the first place. Middleton’s availability had wavered and he wasn't nearly as athletic as he used to be. For a franchise trying to maximize a championship window, sentiment could no longer outweigh reality.
Milwaukee’s offense looks much different now by design. The structure around Giannis continues to evolve and more useful utility players have been added. The Bucks have leaned more into pace and spacing than they did during Middleton's last years with the team. That approach has helped stabilize stretches where things used to bog down.
Milwaukee was right to move on from Khris Middleton
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Defensively, the tradeoff has also been clearer than many expected. While Middleton once provided size and intelligence on the wing, his limitations had become targets for opposing teams. Milwaukee’s current rotation is more flexible, allowing them to toggle between matchups without constantly protecting one spot.
From a financial perspective, moving on from Middleton created breathing room and optionality, two things Milwaukee badly needed. Rather than being locked into a nostalgic core, the Bucks have positioned themselves to adjust on the fly and address weaknesses. There's clearly still some work to be done based on the win-loss record, but building around Khris was no longer a sustainable model.
Of course, none of this changes what Middleton means to this fanbase or this franchise. His shot-making in pressure moments is etched into Bucks history, and nothing will take that away. But honoring the past doesn't require clinging to it. Milwaukee's decision to begin anew is looking better as the months go by.
For Bucks fans, the reminder can be bittersweet. Watching Middleton struggle elsewhere reinforces the emotional weight of the decision as much as it validates it. Milwaukee didn't move on lightly, they only did it when [there was no other option](https://behindthebuckpass.com/khris-middleton-reveals-heartbreaking-revelation-bucks-trade). The Bucks did what they had to do, and it's hard to say they made the wrong choice.