The Milwaukee Bucks secured three more years of Khris Middleton after agreeing to a $102 million deal.
Middleton is part of the Bucks' Big Three, together with Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo, that won them the 2021 NBA title.
There was no doubt amongst fans and team officials that the two-time All-Star would stay even after he chose to become a free agent this summer.
"Khris is core to who we are and really all the success we've had," Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in front of reporters after the draft.
"Our goal is always to sustain our success and continue to compete and have a chance to win and be in position to win, year in and year out. We hope to have him back."
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However, the Bucks still have more work to do as they have yet to seal the signature of center Brook Lopez, who is being courted by the Houston Rockets.
Joe Ingles and Jevon Carter leave
While the Big Three remains, the surrounding pieces of the Milwaukee Bucks have collapsed.
Joe Ingles, whom they acquired last season, decided to join the Orlando Magic on a $22-million, two-year contract per Adrian Wojnarowski.
Another important rotation player who will not join the team next season is Jevon Carter, who took the three-year $20 million offer by the Chicago Bulls.
This means the Bucks will have to shop around to find replacements for Ingles and Carter, who are both huge part of the team's campaign to end the elimination as the overall first seed.
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