Khris Middleton established himself as one of the best second options in the league during his career with the Milwaukee Bucks. Now with the Washington Wizards, the veteran forward may not be the same player, but he still brings a lot of value to the table.
Unfortunately, Washington may not be the ideal place for this value to be recognized. Given the direction the franchise appears to be headed, there is a greater likelihood that the team has committed to a rebuild.
In this regard, the 33-year-old could find himself departing the franchise soon. Middleton spent a large portion of last season out of action due to injuries. Additionally, with an average of 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, he is unlikely to generate much buzz in trade talks.
He is on an expiring contract worth $33.2 million. While that may attract interest, some reports suggest a potential midseason buyout could be in play. This could be a recurring trend this season, as players such as Nikola Vucevic appear to be in the same situation.
When considering his veteran experience and championship pedigree, Middleton could be a valuable addition to a title-contending team on a low-cost contract. With this in mind, we explore four teams that could land him in a buyout scenario.
Denver Nuggets
Among the many teams aspiring to make a title charge next season, the Denver Nuggets could emerge as a great landing spot for Middleton.
This offseason has been an active one for the Nuggets. With noteworthy acquisitions like Cam Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas, Denver has added substantial reinforcements to an already solid roster.
Led by the superstar duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets are primed to be one of the best teams in the league next season. When considering the fight they put up against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs, it is evident that they are also capable of overthrowing the reigning champions.
An addition like Middleton would strengthen their roster depth. Middleton’s scoring ability and offensive versatility would be a huge boost to the team’s bench. Primarily coming in as a replacement for Johnson, the veteran forward could emerge as a reliable scoring option in the second unit.
Although he would end up in a more restricted role on the Nuggets, he could be a necessary piece in improving their chances of winning it all.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are among the many teams to have improved over the offseason. While still featuring their star duo of Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, the Clippers have acquired relevant support as well.
Although they are criticized for being an old team, the Clippers are incredibly deep. With significant talent in virtually every position, LA boasts a balanced roster with the necessary depth to contend for a title.
The Clippers have been particularly successful in the buyout market this season. Having acquired talented veterans like Bradley Beal and Chris Paul, the franchise could look to continue with these practices midway through the season as well.
Should the necessity arise, Middleton could be a solid candidate, especially in the event of injuries. With his offensive capabilities and championship experience, he could be a boost to the team’s overall strength.
With a long season awaiting the team, having veteran experience could be essential in the locker room and on the floor when executing their plans. Middleton checks each box in this regard.
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks‘ front office pulled out all the stops this offseason. Having taken important steps towards developing the team’s roster, the Hawks managed to put together a formidable unit heading into next season.
Last season, the Hawks barely missed out on a playoff berth. In the upcoming season, they are primed to be one of the top five teams in the East.
Led by a superstar guard in Trae Young, the organization managed to acquire Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to support Young’s efforts. Along with the development of pieces like Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Dyson Daniels, Atlanta is a legitimate threat in the East.
While they are just a touch short of being considered a title contender, the addition of a piece like Khris Middleton could help address this. His championship experience could add a lot of value to this roster. Additionally, his scoring ability would make him a solid scoring punch off the bench.
When looking at the state of the Eastern Conference next season, the Hawks may not face a lot of challenges on the road to the playoffs. But once the postseason begins, the veteran experience of someone like Middleton could aid their pursuit of a title.
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are coming off an impressive run in the postseason. Had Curry remained healthy during the playoffs, the Warriors were favored to make it through to the WCF. This presented a positive outlook for the upcoming season.
Unfortunately, the Warriors’ offseason has been anything but positive. With Jonathan Kuminga’s contract negotiations holding up several key signings, the Dubs have effectively become a weaker team.
But this may not be the case for the entirety of the season. Should Golden State succeed in completing its current deals, including the signings of key free agent targets, the Dubs could still be competitive next season.
Featuring an aging, but proven trio of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, the Warriors are not a team to bet against. With the potential to recreate their death lineup with Al Horford as well, the Dubs could still surprise teams in the West.
In this regard, Middleton’s addition would give the team much-needed depth on the wings. With Kuminga on the way out, the Warriors will need a capable veteran who can produce on the offensive end.
When additionally factoring in his playoff and championship experience, the 33-year-old could add a lot of value to this veteran-driven team.
Middleton Could Embrace A Role On The Bench
Khris Middleton is an extremely competent offensive player, but his style of play is slowly but surely becoming less relevant in the modern NBA. While he has made the necessary moves to adapt, the 33-year-old is far from being at his best.
If he is to join a title-contending team, it is expected that he would have to embrace a role on the bench to be relevant. Although his veteran experience and skills could be of value to many teams, on a contender with depth on its roster, he may be more relevant in a supporting role.
