In sports, you get paid based on your past performance as an indicator of future success.
Previously, Dalton Sell had been able to examine the Milwaukee Bucks Most ‘Underpaid’. Now, let’s look back. Another aspect that complicates athlete compensation is that sometimes teams have to “overpay” to fill a need or keep a veteran. (See the first two on this list.) This can be especially true in the NBA, where teams can sometimes be pressured to spend money because “the devil they know is better than the devil they don’t know.”
And then, at the end of the day, it’s not my money! Sure, I wish it were, but it’s not. That’s why some of these fan debates can get pretty interesting. I’ll never own an NBA franchise! But just for fun, let’s look at the three most “overpaid” Milwaukee Bucks.
No one can deny that Khris Middleton hasn’t earned his money. As an NBA champion, he’s been a vital part of the Bucks’ recent success. He’s truly been Giannis Antetokounmpo’s “Robin,” especially considering that Giannis is probably an even bigger superhero than Batman.
But as for future performance, that is a question no one can predict.
Middleton has been dealing with a lot of injuries lately, so it’s fair to say. He’s had to have surgery on his ankle, knee, and who knows what else. In other words, he’s getting old.
When you look at the numbers, it can be really staggering. That’s a big number that stands out. Middleton is owed $31.5 million this season and over $34 million next season! Middleton makes more than Olympian Jrue Holiday, Julius Randle, Tyler Herro and Jalen Brunson. The Bucks would most likely be a much better team with any of those four guys over Middleton.
Middleton makes more than Nicola Vucevic, Myles Turner and Jakob Poeltl. But Brook Lopez makes more than Nicola Vucevic, Myles Turner and Jakob Poeltl. But without Middleton’s contract, this team would be very different.
No one can fault Middleton for getting paid. When we start looking at his projected stats for the upcoming 2024-25 season, it doesn’t he does not seem to be able to justify that $31 million figure. For that reason alone, he should be placed at the top of our list of overpaid Bucks.
Sure, fans are clamoring that Middleton could be traded or moved for another player or group of players, but at this point, it just doesn’t appear that’s the case.
Some NBA prognosticators estimate that Middleton will play 72 games and average 18 points per game in the 2024-25 season. That’s certainly not worth $31 million. However, if the Bucks can achieve that level of production, one would think they’ll go much further than their atypical first-round playoff exit.
