Detroit Pistons
Drafted 39th overall, Middleton's rookie year in Detroit was brief but foundational.
The Detroit Pistons selected Khris Middleton with the 39th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. He signed his rookie-scale contract with the Pistons on August 15, 2012. During his rookie season, Middleton saw limited action, managing just 27 games for the Pistons while averaging 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.6 minutes per game. On December 12, 2012, he was assigned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League and was recalled a week later. Middleton was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks on July 31, 2013, along with Brandon Knight and Viacheslav Kravtsov, in exchange for guard Brandon Jennings.
- Conference
- Eastern
- Division
- Central
- Detroit Home Arena
- Little Caesars Arena
- Milwaukee Home Arena
- Fiserv Forum
- Rivalry Status
- Active Divisional Rivals
- Bucks Entry Era
- Late 1960s
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Middleton's time with the Pistons was short—just 27 games in the 2012–13 season. He averaged 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 17.6 minutes per game. The Pistons assigned him to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League on December 12, 2012, and recalled him a week later. On July 31, 2013, the Pistons traded Middleton, Brandon Knight, and Viacheslav Kravtsov to the Milwaukee Bucks for Brandon Jennings. This trade proved pivotal: Middleton would go on to become a three-time NBA All-Star and win an NBA championship with the Bucks in 2021.
In Their Own Story
The 39th pick in the 2012 NBA draft, Middleton arrived in Detroit with little fanfare. He played 27 games as a rookie, averaging 6.1 points. A brief stint with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League sharpened his game. Then, on July 31, 2013, the Pistons sent him to Milwaukee in a trade for Brandon Jennings. That deal reshaped the Bucks' future—Middleton became a three-time All-Star and an NBA champion in 2021.
Reader's Guide
Middleton was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 39th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. He signed his rookie-scale contract on August 15, 2012. On December 12, 2012, the Pistons assigned him to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League; he was recalled a week later. He finished his rookie season with 27 games played, averaging 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 17.6 minutes per game. On July 31, 2013, the Pistons traded Middleton, Brandon Knight, and Viacheslav Kravtsov to the Milwaukee Bucks for Brandon Jennings.
Did You Know?
- Middleton was selected with the 39th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons.
- He was assigned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League on December 12, 2012, and recalled a week later.
- Middleton played only 27 games for the Pistons, averaging 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 17.6 minutes per game.
- On July 31, 2013, the Pistons traded Middleton, Brandon Knight, and Viacheslav Kravtsov to the Milwaukee Bucks for Brandon Jennings.
- Middleton later became a three-time NBA All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Bucks in 2021.
More in Venues & Rivalries
Elsewhere in the Milwaukee Bucks universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record