Last summer, we ran a post detailing which players received the biggest raises in salary from the previous year. The list was made up of three types of players.
A. Players who received maximum salary deals as their second contracts, such as DeMarcus Cousins.
B. Former first-round picks who received sizable contract extensions, although not necessarily max deals, such as Larry Sanders.
C. Second-round picks who had been making near league minimum and signed new deals, such as Lance Stephenson.
The latter category has some candidates this year as well. Among them are forwards Draymond Green of Golden State, Jae Crowder of Boston and Khris Middleton of Milwaukee.
We’ve already explained how Middleton’s improvement over the last two years and the stratospheric leap made by the Bucks from the worst team in the league to a playoff team could land the restricted free agent a contract averaging eight figures.
But given that Middleton doesn’t turn 24 until August, appears to have a ways to go before reaching his ceiling and the huge increase in the salary cap coming in 2016, is it possible that he receives a maximum contract offer this summer, either from the Bucks or another team?
And can the Bucks – who have a dicey new arena issue on their hands – go the max on Middleton, with extensions due down the road for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Carter-Williams and Jabari Parker?
I answered those questions and others about an important offseason for the Bucks with Greg Matzek of WTMJ-AM in Milwaukee.
Click on the box below to give a listen.
Chris Bernucca is the managing editor of SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter.