Warriors, Warriors trade, Khris Middleton, Jimmy Butler injury
Getty
Head coach Steve Kerr (L) and governor Joe Lacob of the Golden State Warriors look on during a game between the Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas Mack Center on July 10, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Washington Wizards are widely expected to buy out Khris Middleton’s expiring $33.2M salary, making the 2021 NBA champion a potential target for teams such as the Golden State Warriors in their late-season playoff push.
According to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins, the Wizards are unlikely to find a trade partner for Middleton before the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline and could therefore reach a buyout with the veteran wing, releasing him into free agency.
“Middleton, 34, has shown some signs of life lately, but no longer looks like a potential difference-maker for a contending team,” Robbins reported earlier this week.
“The majority of league sources whom The Athletic spoke with said they think Middleton’s most likely outcome is to remain with the Wizards through the deadline and be a buyout candidate.”
Could Warriors Target Middleton?
The Athletic added that there has been some buzz that the Portland Trail Blazers could do business with the Wizards in an effort to dump Jerami Grant’s contract in exchange for Middleton’s expiring deal. However, the Wizards are reportedly hesitant to take on another massive contract after trading for Trae Young earlier this season.
If Middleton does become a free agent, the Warriors would be wise to pursue him. While the 34-year-old is no longer the two-way star he was during the Milwaukee Bucks‘ 2021 championship run, he’s still a proven veteran who can play an ancillary role for the Warriors off the bench.
Through 30 starts this season, Middleton has averaged 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists from 24.5 minutes per game — his lowest overall production since his rookie season in 2012-13. The three-time All-Star is also shooting a career-low 42% from the field and 31% from three. Those numbers obviously pale in comparison to his peak years when he was a near-50/40/90 shooter, tallying over 20 points per game. However, it’s hard to evaluate Middleton amid Washington’s losing situation.
Jimmy Butler Replacement?
Granted, Middleton won’t be able to fill the void left by Jimmy Butler III, who averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists before his ACL injury, but he could be a solid stopgap arrangement for a Warriors team that could use more firepower.
Speaking of Butler, the Warriors have set their sights on Trey Murphy, Andrew Wiggins and DeMar DeRozan as potential replacements, per ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.
“Other than Trey Murphy, league personnel are linking wings and forwards like Andrew Wiggins and DeMar DeRozan to the Warriors,” Siegel wrote earlier this week.
“This is the area in which the Warriors are said to be evaluating the trade market, as the possibility of adding a notable frontcourt talent isn’t viewed as a priority over addressing the forward positions.”
While there have been conflicting reports about Golden State’s interest in DeRozan, multiple insiders have confirmed that the franchise is eyeing a reunion with Wiggins, who played a key role in their 2022 championship run. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr further fanned those flames recently when he spoke glowingly about Wiggins.
“Wiggs is just such a great human being and beloved in our locker room,” Kerr said of Wiggins. “Had so much success here and helped us turn things around from that two-year stretch when we didn’t make the playoffs. He was just a joy to coach.”
Even if the Warriors were to trade for Wiggins or DeRozan, or even sign Middleton as a free agent, their chances of competing for a championship this year are slim to none.