The Bucks have informed forward Khris Middleton that they’ll be removing him from their starting lineup and bringing him off the bench moving forward, sources tell NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter video link).
As Haynes explains, the Bucks are trying to establish continuity with their starting lineup while Middleton continues to work his way back to full strength following offseason surgeries on both ankles. The 33-year-old sat out Monday’s game in Toronto for “injury management” purposes related to his ankles and continues to face a minutes restriction, Haynes notes.
Deploying a starting lineup of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, Andre Jackson, and Taurean Prince will allow head coach Doc Rivers to stick with that starting five even if Middleton has the miss the occasional game. Bringing the three-time All-Star off the bench will also make it easier for the team to manage his playing time for as long as he remains on a minutes limit.
Middleton, who made his season debut on December 6, came off the bench in his first five appearances of the season before starting each of his past seven outings. He has averaged 12.7 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds in 23.8 minutes per game across those 12 contests, with a shooting line of .447/.404/.852.
Middleton is the second multi-time All-Star to be removed from his team’s starting lineup this week while his name comes up in Jimmy Butler trade rumors, joining Suns guard Bradley Beal.
While the Bucks have reportedly considered the idea of pursuing Butler, it would be very challenging from a cap perspective to pull off a deal and they’re rumored to be among the teams who have been advised not to trade for the Heat star. So even though Middleton would almost certainly have to be included in a Milwaukee offer for Butler, it seems unlikely that such a deal will come to fruition.
Middleton will be available to play for the Bucks on Wednesday vs. San Antonio, Haynes adds.
All this team needs is a SG veteran starter(30+)
Trade Jackson, cash and future picks for a veteran SG
Waive Rollins and Umude. Sign a SG and C prospects (20-21) on two way contracts
Terrible, terrible idea. They need cheap young players like Jackson and Rollins. They already have Gary Trent as a veteran SG. They can’t trade cash either being over the 2nd apron.
What are the alternative upgrades for Middleton if they dont go for Butler?
$31,666,667 salary apparently.
Dejounte Murray? Kuzma? Conley? Brogdon? Randle? Ball?
Trade Middleton for Brandon Ingram or CJ
Perhaps trade for both for KM, BP, PC and MB, if possible.
Don’t be so goddum lazy, type out the last names like regular people.
Brandon Ingram seems like a good choice indeed.
Not sure if they should give up Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton and Marjon Beauchamp.
CJ is trash and Ingram is just an uninjured Middleton on an expiring salary. With the little trade value they have, I can’t see them trading their 2031 first for a marginal upgrade on an expiring salary with no locker room chemistry
maybe 3 team trade, butler, beal middleton?
Bucks are over the 2nd apron so they cannot aggregate salaries in a trade. They would have to move either Giannis or Dame to get Butler or Beal back in any trade which isn’t going to happen.
Yes, you are right. Bucks are $4 million over the 2nd apron
Can Bucks dump 2 vet min salary to Spurs first? and then talk to Heat
It would be very complex to get Butler…
link to brewhoop.com
It would be very complex to get Butler.
link to brewhoop.com
@bdpecore As I outlined in one of the linked stories, they could aggregate salaries IF they’re below the second apron upon the conclusion of the trade. They’re about $6.5MM above it now, so it would require sending out some extra salary — a package for Butler ($48.8M) would likely be Middleton, Portis, Connaughton, and Beauchamp ($56.4MM in cap salary; $58.7MM in apron salary). It would mean finding a third team for at least Connaughton.
Also, for what it’s worth, Butler’s cap hit is higher than Dame’s and Giannis’ by $11K, so if the Bucks remain above the second apron, neither of those guys could actually be traded for Butler (not that either would be anyway).
I figure out Beal contract isn’t going anywhere. You don’t trade future luxury tax to Bucks. (Bucks is small town)
Middleton remaining contract $66 million
Beal remaining contract $160 million
Differ $94 million
Just my opinion
The most likely destination for Butler is Bucks.
Heat get Middleton, Portis, Trent and a peanut
Bucks get Butler
Butler is not happy But no choice
Butler starts with But and always has But.
Bucks can’t aggregate salaries in a trade, bot
Hey, no need to attack him
I don’t understand why this is news? He’s been coming off the bench due half the season to injury like the past few years.
Bringing a player of Middleton’s caliber off the bench for a few games after he comes back from a long injury absence is common.
Moving him back to the bench after he makes seven starts in a row and when he’s still (relatively) healthy is less common.
He also started every game he played last season, for what it’s worth.
Bucks should target Zion
I really like Zion’s contract.
Salary
As low as $16 million this season?
As low as $8 million next season?
Compared to George $55 million a season and Beal $53 million a season
How did Zion sign this kind of contract? How and Why?
I want to talk to Butler and Beal first before any trade.
AD said, Westbrook Sacrificed.
Now it’s time for Butler and Beal to Sacrifice.
Butler
You wanted to get out of Miami, you don’t ask to be traded to Suns because it is impossible.
Beal
Suns are unwelcomed you, neither are Heat, Lakers and Clippers. You don’t ask to be traded to them.