Sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday that Washington Wizards veteran forward Khris Middleton will receive his 33.3 million player option in the 2025-26 season.
It’s part of his three-year, $93 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks in July 2023. Milwaukee traded Middleton to the Wizards on the deadline of last season.
Khris Middleton will enter his 14th NBA season
The 6-foot-7 Middleton became a three-game All-Star between 2019 and 2022 and became a key member of the 2020-21 Bucks championship team.
Middleton, who will turn 34 in August, will enter his 14th season in the NBA. However, the former second-rounder has dealt with injuries in recent years, recovering from offseason surgery last season.
In 2024-25 37 games between the Bucks and the Wizards (21 games), he averaged 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 22.8 minutes of games while shooting 47.5% from the field and 36.1% from three-pointers.
Although the Wizards finished the game 18-64 last season, they improved on the court after acquiring Middleton and Marcus Smart on the trade deadline. Washington was 5-4 when the two players were on the floor together.
The wizard will operate comfortably below the tax line
Although Middleton exercised his choice, the Wizard is expected to operate comfortably in the luxury tax line in the coming months. Washington was under $18 million before Middleton chose his own choice.
Additionally, the wizards have flexibility in a $20 million non-guaranteed contract (Richaun Holmes, Justin Champagnie, Anthony Gill and Colby Jones).
Gill’s $2.2 million contract will be guaranteed on July 1. Washington also has a non-tax intermediate ($14.1 million), annual ($5.1 million), second round and senior minimum exceptions.
The Wizards also have three trade exceptions ($9.9 million, $5.3 million and $2.5 million).
Then there is Jordan Poole, who will start his four-year, season three of his $128 million contract in 2025-26. He plans to make $31.48 million next season and is expected to make $34.04 million in 2026-27.
Poole is eligible to sign a three-year extension starting October 1, with a $154 million extension.
Washington has 26 draft picks by 2032
For the second consecutive year, Washington won the top 4 and draft picks in the mid-20s. Last year, Washington sent the 51st pick to the New York Knicks and raised Keshan George on two slot machines.
The Wizards now have 16 future second-round picks, including two this year.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Wizards have 26 draft picks by 2032, including 10 first-rounders. Four of them have been won in the past two seasons.
Including the Memphis Grizzlies in the June draft pick, Washington has the most disadvantaged for the 2026 Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets (if 5-30) and the Los Angeles Clippers.
