The Milwaukee Bucks have signed back their two biggest free agents, as Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez have reportedly signed deals returning to Milwaukee.
Middleton, a three-time all star, returns to the Bucks after an injury rideculed 2022-2023 season on a three-year, 102 million dollar deal, a deal that gave Milwaukee a bit of cap help, instead of Middleton accepting his $40 million player option. When healthy, the small forward was the second best scorer for Milwaukee, as he averaged 23.8 points per game in the first round against Miami, where the Bucks ultimately lost the series in five games.
For Brook Lopez, it is a two-year, 48 million dollar contract that brings the center back to the team that revamped and restarted his career. Rumors swirled that the Houston Rockets were the favorites to land Lopez, and a team friendly deal from Khris Middleton gave the Bucks a bit more money to offer the seven foot center from Stanford. Lopez averaged 19 points per game in the postseason, including a 25 point performance in a Game 2 win and a 36 point performance in a Game 5 loss.
It wasn't all good news for the Bucks, as two free agents decided to sign elsewhere in the likes of Jevon Carter and Joe Ingles. Carter signed with the Chicago Bulls for three-years, $20 million. The point guard grew up just three hours away from the United Center, so Carter signing with the Bulls is a hometown reuinion. Joe Ingles found his way to the Orlando Magic after just one year in a Milwaukee Buck uniform, signing a two-year, $22 million contract.
The Bucks still have notable free agents unsigned, such as Jae Crowder and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.