NBA: 10 candidates for bounce-back seasons in 2017-18

2. Khris Middleton

Last season, the Milwaukee Bucks were without Khris Middleton until February as he recovered from a hamstring injury, and then had to suffer losing Jabari Parker once he finally returned. This year, it could be the exact inverse with Parker spending most of the year recovering from another ACL tear. This time, hopefully Middleton stays healthy throughout the year.

Middleton’s “down” year was due to injury and shaking off the rust from missing 53 games, but there’s no question he wasn’t quite the same player upon returning. His scoring numbers declined from 18.2 points per game the year before to 14.7 per game, while his field goal attempts dropped by three per game as well.

Part of that was from the rust, and part of it was from Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s huge leap from 2015-16 to 2016-17. However, Middleton was clearly not as confident or assertive in creating offense for the Bucks, and in 2017-18, that has to change — especially with Parker out.

On the bright side, Middleton posted efficient .450/.433/.880 shooting splits in his limited time on the court. Now he needs to get his shot attempts back up, stay healthy and re-establish himself as the 3-and-D wing that’s going to help make Milwaukee a dangerous playoff matchup.