Report: Wizards' Middleton picks up $33M option for 2025-26 season

Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton picked up his $33.3-million player option for the 2025-26 season, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

The three-time NBA All-Star joined the Wizards prior to February's trade deadline after playing 11-plus seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, who re-signed him to a three-year, $102 million contract in 2023.

Middleton struggled to stay healthy in recent years and made just 14 appearances for Washington, averaging 22.1 minutes per game. The 33-year-old averaged 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per contest.

If healthy, Middleton could be a key veteran presence on a Wizards team rostering several promising players. Washington selected Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

The Wizards finished with a 18-64 record this past season and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year.