When training camp opened last October, Khris Middleton seemed an unlikely candidate to receive the second-biggest payday in Milwaukee Bucks history.
The 6-foot-7 shooting guard wasn't even guaranteed a starting spot in new coach Jason Kidd's lineup and, indeed, early in the season he spent time coming off the bench.
Yet as NBA free agency opened Wednesday, the Bucks' 23-year-old restricted free agent didn't have to wait long to cash in on a breakout 2014-'15 season.
After playing for $915,000 last season, Middleton and the Bucks agreed on the parameters of a five-year, $70 million contract, averaging $14 million a season.