Khris Middleton was unable to participate in the first day of training camp for the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite that, Milwaukee coach Adrian Griffin isn’t too concerned with Middleton’s absence, assuring that one of his prized wards is fit to play for the upcoming season.
“I think Khris was the only one, but he's doing quality work,” Griffin said when asked by Eric Nehm of The Athletic if the team was complete at the start of the training camp.
Middleton underwent successful surgery on his right knee shortly after the playoffs.
Griffin is not in a hurry to bring back Khris
Knee issues plagued Middleton this past season, where he only played for 33 games. Coach Griffin said the team will slowly integrate the veteran shooter into the team.
“He had a great summer. We just wanna - you know, you don't build Rome in a day. He'll get back to it, and we'll find ways to incorporate him as we move forward,” Griffin said.
Great news for Milwaukee fans was Middleton’s revelation that the pain that has bothered him the past season is completely gone.
Khris is ready to go
Undergoing surgery was something that the 11-year veteran extremely needed.
“I feel great. Don’t have the pain that I had last year. But it was a decision that was made halfway through the season, I would say, where I was just going to have to get it fixed. It wasn’t a hard decision at all,” Middleton said.
Milwaukee is touted as one of the heavy favorites in the coming season after the team was able to acquire Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team deal that also involved the Phoenix Suns.
With Lillard joining forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Middleton seemingly fit again, the Bucks are certainly strong title contenders.
“I’m glad I did, and right after surgery, I felt immediate relief. It felt good and ready to go,” Middleton said.
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