• Khris Middleton, a three-time NBA All-Star who helped lead the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 NBA championship, has penned a heartfelt farewell to the city and fans.
• Middleton was traded to the Washington Wizards last week after 12 seasons with the Bucks.
• Middleton thanked fans for their support and the Bucks organization for helping him grow as a player and person.

Khris Middleton, a man whose No. 22 jersey may hang in the rafters of Fiserv Forum someday  fans Friday.

The franchise’s third all-time leading scorer was  last week. The Bucks also traded rookie AJ Johnson and when the dust settled, , Jericho Sims and Kevin Porter Jr.

Middleton is  and is the team’s all-time three-point leader. He spent 12 years in a Bucks uniform in Milwaukee and helped deliver the city its first NBA championship in 50 years and only second title ever.

His departure is certainly the end of an era.

“Twelve years ago, I arrived in this city as a young player with big dream,” Middleton  posted to social media. “Today, I leave as an NBA champion, 3x All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist, and most importantly, someone who Milwaukee helped shape into the person and player I am today.

“From the moment I stepped foot in this city, you embraced me. Together, we experienced the rebuilding years, the emergence of a championship contender, and ultimately, the unforgettable journey to the 2021 NBA Championship. That magical run will stay with me forever – the late-game shots, the comeback victories, and most importantly, bringing the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to Milwaukee after 50 years.”

Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo are likely the greatest all-time duo in Bucks history. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson only played four years together — also delivering a championship in 1971.

Middleton was traded to the Bucks in 2013 from the Detroit Pistons, along with Brandon Knight and Viacheslav Kravtsov, in exchange for “Bucks in Six” legend Brandon Jennings. Middleton was considered a “throw in” at the time, but he and Antetokounmpo would go on to turn a 15-win team in 2013 to one of the more competitive franchises in the league.

During the championship run in 2021, Middleton helped the Bucks overcome the loss of Antetokounmpo to a knee injury against Atlanta. And he turned in one of the most clutch playoff performances in NBA history during that run with 15 game-tying or go-ahead shots in the fourth quarter and overtime, the most in 25 years. Only LeBron James (2007) had as many.

“To the incredible Bucks fans: Your passion and support through every up and down has been nothing short of amazing,” Middleton wrote. “From the early days at the Bradley Center, to the energy at Fiserv Forum and the packed Deer District during our championship run — the way this entire city rallies behind its team is something special that I’ll always cherish.

“To the Bucks organization: Thank you for believing in me, developing me, and giving me the opportunity to grow from a trade piece into an All-Star and champion.”

Middleton, who often was involved in community service and public events locally, now moves onto Washington, D.C., with his wife and their two children.

“To the Milwaukee community: This city has become my home. The relationships built, the community initiatives we’ve worked on together, and the countless memories made both on and off the court will stay with me forever.

“As I begin this new chapter, I’m excited for the opportunities ahead. But Milwaukee will always hold a special place in my heart.

“This isn’t goodbye — it’s thank you.”