LUKE23 wrote:And what does he really need to improve? Not his shot or his defense. Attacking closeouts, ball handling, etc. I also don't like pigeon holing players as "top 3 on a contender". Each team is different. Obviously, we are not adding any more top 5 picks to this core. We have a lot invested in Giannis/Jabari. But an elite 3 point shooter who is also a top shelf defender is insanely valuable with our current team, and he's only 23.
Do you think Giannis/Jabari/Middleton is a group of guys who can win a title if they are the best three players on a team? I personally do not think so unless one of those guys surprises me in their development. If you don't want to think of it that way, then that's fine. But that's how I approach things.
I think Giannis has a chance to be really good. Like probably Paul George (pre-injury, obviously) level good. I had super high hopes for Jabari, but he's obviously a pretty big question mark now... and I view Middleton more as a role player than a 'star' or someone that you can really rely on to ever carry a team or be a primary contributor.
Middleton is certainly an excellent role player. I just think it's amusing that people are acting like those who wouldn't automatically match if someone throws $17 million a year at him are mindless idiots who are clueless about all things basketball related.
Khris Middleton isn't that important to building a contender, at least in my opinion. If the cap explodes and all things remain the same as far as how contracts are given out, then yeah he'll likely be worth $17 million. But I do think there is a chance he also under performs as well if we give him a big deal. So if he got what equals a $10 million dollar a year deal under the current salary structure, I could see him not being worth that.
High end talent, star players, superstars... whatever you want to call them. Those are still the guys who win in the NBA. Khris Middleton is not one of those guys. I can see how some here might disagree with that as there were times where people were saying he was a 'number one option' and stuff like that... but I just don't see it, at all.