Khris Middleton‘s time with the Milwaukee Bucks ended during the 2024-25 NBA season when he was traded to the Washington Wizards. It was an unexpected trade since Middleton helped Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks win the 2021 NBA title. He was also the second option to the Greek star, earning three All-Star selections.
But the Bucks had other plans and wanted to build something different around Antetokounmpo. This was because the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for two straight years at the time. The organization thought replacing Middleton with Kyle Kuzma would make a significant difference. Unfortunately for the team, they earned their third-straight first-round exit.
Before the Wizards faced the Bucks on Monday, Marc Stein of The Stein Line had a chance to talk to Middleton. The league insider asked the 6-foot-7 forward what it was like for him to be traded.
Khris Middleton did not hide his emotions and told Stein about the move destroying his self-confidence.
“It was just a time to decompress, get my feelings out, reminisce, go through a whole bunch of thought processes and figure out what my life’s gonna be like now,” Middleton said. “When you get traded, it’s a huge confidence killer, especially if you’re not in control of it. You have to kinda talk yourself back up.”
“They don’t want you anymore.”
Middleton’s time in Milwaukee was special. He spent 12 seasons with the team, averaging 17.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Together with Antetokounmpo, the star forward honed his skills and redefined his identity as one of the most prominent players in the Bucks’ history.
Khris Middleton got his revenge against the Bucks on Monday
The Washington Wizards faced the Milwaukee Bucks for the second time this season on Monday. The first game between the two teams was the Wizards’ season opener. It ended in a 133-120 loss against Washington. Khris Middleton played 28 minutes that game and had 23 points, six rebounds and three assists.
This time, Middelton and the Wizards had their revenge game. In the final minute of the fourth quarter, CJ McCollum drove to the basket and kicked the ball out to the veteran forward. Without wasting time, the former Texas A&M forward shot a 3-pointer to give Washington a two-point lead.
Khris Middleton gets his revenge against his former team with a CLUTCH three.
Wizards beat the Bucks 😳pic.twitter.com/ahXhwTamS4
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 2, 2025
Middleton’s shot gave the team enough momentum to secure the 129-126 victory. He finished the game with 15 points, four rebounds and six assists. McCollum led the Wizards with his 28 points and five assists.
The next game between the two teams will be on Dec. 31 at the Fiserv Forum.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
