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Miami Out: Terry Rozier, Jaime Jaquez Jr, 2032 2nd (MIA)
Miami In: Khris Middleton

Washington Out: Khris Middleton
Washington In: Terry Rozier, Jaime Jaquez Jr, 2032 2nd (MIA)

Miami gets a veteran wing to support their weak wing rotation
Washington gets a prospect and a future 2nd for Middleton, saving the owner money

It makes reasonable sense.

But from Washington's standpoint, I'm just not all that interested in either Jaquez or a SRP 7 years in the future. I think the Wizards are better off keeping Middleton and hopefully incorporating him into a larger deal to get back better picks (and presumably worse salary baggage).

No, I'm not even remotely interested in Middleton. Way past his prime. And I don't see our wing rotation as weak. Herro and Wiggins are both high end starters, Highsmith is an excellent 3&D guy, and we've got prospects all over the place. This also adds money to the payroll when we're trying to stay out of the luxury tax. I just some see it.

BBallFreak wrote:No, I'm not even remotely interested in Middleton. Way past his prime. And I don't see our wing rotation as weak. Herro and Wiggins are both high end starters, Highsmith is an excellent 3&D guy, and we've got prospects all over the place. This also adds money to the payroll when we're trying to stay out of the luxury tax. I just some see it.

I consider Herro as a guard, not a wing. Herro can't guard 3's or 4's.

Wiggins, Highsmith, JJJ and Fontecchio is your wing rotation. Throw Kyle Anderson in there as well.

That's mediocre. Maybe not "weak", but definitely nothing above mediocre.

Middleton is going to be a buyout guy at the deadline. Can't imagine Washington turning down JJJ and a pick.

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ReggiesKnicks wrote:

BBallFreak wrote:No, I'm not even remotely interested in Middleton. Way past his prime. And I don't see our wing rotation as weak. Herro and Wiggins are both high end starters, Highsmith is an excellent 3&D guy, and we've got prospects all over the place. This also adds money to the payroll when we're trying to stay out of the luxury tax. I just some see it.

I consider Herro as a guard, not a wing. Herro can't guard 3's or 4's.

Wiggins, Highsmith, JJJ and Fontecchio is your wing rotation. Throw Kyle Anderson in there as well.

That's mediocre. Maybe not "weak", but definitely nothing above mediocre.

A wing is someone who plays the 2 or 3. They play... On the wing, outside the three point line... Herro plays on the wing outside the three point line. Herro can't guard 2's either but that doesn't mean he's not a shooting guard.

We also have Pelle Larsson and Nikola Jovic who both play on the wing. I'm completely fine with what we've got behind our starters. I see no reason to upgrade anything other than Wiggins's spot. I don't see Middleton as an upgrade to Wiggins so I don't see the need to sent out value (such as it is) to acquire him while raising our payroll. Middleton would not, in any way, be a priority acquisition unless we were just looking to dump Wiggins, which we're not.

BBallFreak wrote:

ReggiesKnicks wrote:

BBallFreak wrote:No, I'm not even remotely interested in Middleton. Way past his prime. And I don't see our wing rotation as weak. Herro and Wiggins are both high end starters, Highsmith is an excellent 3&D guy, and we've got prospects all over the place. This also adds money to the payroll when we're trying to stay out of the luxury tax. I just some see it.

I consider Herro as a guard, not a wing. Herro can't guard 3's or 4's.

Wiggins, Highsmith, JJJ and Fontecchio is your wing rotation. Throw Kyle Anderson in there as well.

That's mediocre. Maybe not "weak", but definitely nothing above mediocre.

A wing is someone who plays the 2 or 3. They play... On the wing, outside the three point line... Herro plays on the wing outside the three point line. Herro can't guard 2's either but that doesn't mean he's not a shooting guard.

We also have Pelle Larsson and Nikola Jovic who both play on the wing. I'm completely fine with what we've got behind our starters. I see no reason to upgrade anything other than Wiggins's spot. I don't see Middleton as an upgrade to Wiggins so I don't see the need to sent out value (such as it is) to acquire him while raising our payroll. Middleton would not, in any way, be a priority acquisition unless we were just looking to dump Wiggins, which we're not.

I consider most 4's as wings. Jerami Grant, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, P.J. Washington, Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby.

If you don't, we just view basketball completely differently and there is no discourse here

BBallFreak wrote:No, I'm not even remotely interested in Middleton. Way past his prime. And I don't see our wing rotation as weak. Herro and Wiggins are both high end starters, Highsmith is an excellent 3&D guy, and we've got prospects all over the place. This also adds money to the payroll when we're trying to stay out of the luxury tax. I just some see it.

hero and Wiggins are “high-end” starters? That’s a reach.

TGW wrote:

BBallFreak wrote:No, I'm not even remotely interested in Middleton. Way past his prime. And I don't see our wing rotation as weak. Herro and Wiggins are both high end starters, Highsmith is an excellent 3&D guy, and we've got prospects all over the place. This also adds money to the payroll when we're trying to stay out of the luxury tax. I just some see it.

hero and Wiggins are “high-end” starters? That’s a reach.

Herro was an all-star last year, Wiggins has been an all-star who was a major contributor on a championship team.

Texas Chuck wrote:Middleton is going to be a buyout guy at the deadline. Can't imagine Washington turning down JJJ and a pick.

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JJJ fell out of the rotation on a 30-41 Miami team. He is already 24 years old and was worse this year than last year. I don't think has any value at all. He is just a guy. I wouldn't be surprised if Miami opts out of his 4th season on his rookie deal. He is destined to be an NBA journeyman.

You may be right that Middleton ultimately gets bought out, but there's also a fairly realistic chance that he could get traded at the Trade Deadline to a playoff team for a bad contract and a pick. For now, I'd hold out and see if something else materializes. I'm not too worried about the missed opportunity of a SRP 7 years down the road.

And for the record, I said the trade was reasonable and make some sense. But from the Wizards perspective, I don't think I'd pull the trigger. At least not right now.

nate33 wrote:

Texas Chuck wrote:Middleton is going to be a buyout guy at the deadline. Can't imagine Washington turning down JJJ and a pick.

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JJJ fell out of the rotation on a 30-41 Miami team. He is already 24 years old and was worse this year than last year. I don't think has any value at all. He is just a guy. I wouldn't be surprised if Miami opts out of his 4th season on his rookie deal. He is destined to be an NBA journeyman.

You may be right that Middleton ultimately gets bought out, but there's also a fairly realistic chance that he could get traded at the Trade Deadline to a playoff team for a bad contract and a pick. For now, I'd hold out and see if something else materializes. I'm not too worried about the missed opportunity of a SRP 7 years down the road.

And for the record, I said the trade was reasonable and make some sense. But from the Wizards perspective, I don't think I'd pull the trigger. At least not right now.

JJJ probably has more value than Middleton on that contract. He's young and his struggles could very well just be a sophomore slump.

BBallFreak wrote:

nate33 wrote:

Texas Chuck wrote:Middleton is going to be a buyout guy at the deadline. Can't imagine Washington turning down JJJ and a pick.

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JJJ fell out of the rotation on a 30-41 Miami team. He is already 24 years old and was worse this year than last year. I don't think has any value at all. He is just a guy. I wouldn't be surprised if Miami opts out of his 4th season on his rookie deal. He is destined to be an NBA journeyman.

You may be right that Middleton ultimately gets bought out, but there's also a fairly realistic chance that he could get traded at the Trade Deadline to a playoff team for a bad contract and a pick. For now, I'd hold out and see if something else materializes. I'm not too worried about the missed opportunity of a SRP 7 years down the road.

And for the record, I said the trade was reasonable and make some sense. But from the Wizards perspective, I don't think I'd pull the trigger. At least not right now.

JJJ probably has more value than Middleton on that contract. He's young and his struggles could very well just be a sophomore slump.

He's not young. He is 24. Guys like Sengun, Giddey and Isiah Stewart, who have seemingly been around the league forever, are younger than him.

nate33 wrote:

BBallFreak wrote:

nate33 wrote:JJJ fell out of the rotation on a 30-41 Miami team. He is already 24 years old and was worse this year than last year. I don't think has any value at all. He is just a guy. I wouldn't be surprised if Miami opts out of his 4th season on his rookie deal. He is destined to be an NBA journeyman.

You may be right that Middleton ultimately gets bought out, but there's also a fairly realistic chance that he could get traded at the Trade Deadline to a playoff team for a bad contract and a pick. For now, I'd hold out and see if something else materializes. I'm not too worried about the missed opportunity of a SRP 7 years down the road.

And for the record, I said the trade was reasonable and make some sense. But from the Wizards perspective, I don't think I'd pull the trigger. At least not right now.

JJJ probably has more value than Middleton on that contract. He's young and his struggles could very well just be a sophomore slump.

He's not young. He is 24. Guys like Sengun, Giddey and Isiah Stewart, who have seemingly been around the league forever, are younger than him.

Only in your mind is 24 not young.

BBallFreak wrote:

nate33 wrote:

BBallFreak wrote:JJJ probably has more value than Middleton on that contract. He's young and his struggles could very well just be a sophomore slump.

He's not young. He is 24. Guys like Sengun, Giddey and Isiah Stewart, who have seemingly been around the league forever, are younger than him.

Only in your mind is 24 not young.

Last year, he was older than 30% of the players in the league. This year, he'll be older than roughly 40% of the players in the league.

nate33 wrote:

BBallFreak wrote:

nate33 wrote:He's not young. He is 24. Guys like Sengun, Giddey and Isiah Stewart, who have seemingly been around the league forever, are younger than him.

Only in your mind is 24 not young.

Last year, he was older than 30% of the players in the league. This year, he'll be older than roughly 40% of the players in the league.

I'm guessing Middleton is older than 99% of the league and paid in the top 10%

Seriously, cut this out. You're acting like he's a finished product at 24. Just stop.

BBallFreak wrote:

nate33 wrote:

BBallFreak wrote:Only in your mind is 24 not young.

Last year, he was older than 30% of the players in the league. This year, he'll be older than roughly 40% of the players in the league.

I'm guessing Middleton is older than 99% of the league and paid in the top 10%

Seriously, cut this out. You're acting like he's a finished product at 24. Just stop.

I really do think he is a finished product. This is what happens with old draft picks. They hit the ground running as rookies, but they don't really get much better. It's the same thing with guys like Corey Kispert, Brandon Clarke and Chris Duarte. It's particularly concerning when they don't make much of a leap in Year 2.

You won't hear me arguing that you should trade for Kispert because he has untapped upside.

nate33 wrote:

BBallFreak wrote:

nate33 wrote:Last year, he was older than 30% of the players in the league. This year, he'll be older than roughly 40% of the players in the league.

I'm guessing Middleton is older than 99% of the league and paid in the top 10%

Seriously, cut this out. You're acting like he's a finished product at 24. Just stop.

I really do think he is a finished product. This is what happens with old draft picks. They hit the ground running as rookies, but they don't really get much better. It's the same thing with guys like Corey Kispert, Brandon Clarke and Chris Duarte. It's particularly concerning when they don't make much of a leap in Year 2.

You won't hear me arguing that you should trade for Kispert because he has untapped upside.

This is literally one of the dumber conversations I've had. Sophomore slump is a thing. He experienced one. He could be a bit role player, he could morph into an all-star. The jury's still out. Either way, he's a more desirable piece than Kris Middleton at this point.

nate33 wrote:

Texas Chuck wrote:Middleton is going to be a buyout guy at the deadline. Can't imagine Washington turning down JJJ and a pick.

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JJJ fell out of the rotation on a 30-41 Miami team. He is already 24 years old and was worse this year than last year. I don't think has any value at all. He is just a guy. I wouldn't be surprised if Miami opts out of his 4th season on his rookie deal. He is destined to be an NBA journeyman.

You may be right that Middleton ultimately gets bought out, but there's also a fairly realistic chance that he could get traded at the Trade Deadline to a playoff team for a bad contract and a pick. For now, I'd hold out and see if something else materializes. I'm not too worried about the missed opportunity of a SRP 7 years down the road.

And for the record, I said the trade was reasonable and make some sense. But from the Wizards perspective, I don't think I'd pull the trigger. At least not right now.

If Middleton is still averaging around 10-11 ppg and doesn’t have a major injury, I can definitely see WAS flipping him to a contender at the trade deadline for a similar type of package involving some bench guys and seconds. As a veteran shot-maker and former 2nd option on a recent championship team, he could definitely play a 7th man for a team going for it in 2026.

GatherStepGuru wrote:

nate33 wrote:

Texas Chuck wrote:Middleton is going to be a buyout guy at the deadline. Can't imagine Washington turning down JJJ and a pick.

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JJJ fell out of the rotation on a 30-41 Miami team. He is already 24 years old and was worse this year than last year. I don't think has any value at all. He is just a guy. I wouldn't be surprised if Miami opts out of his 4th season on his rookie deal. He is destined to be an NBA journeyman.

You may be right that Middleton ultimately gets bought out, but there's also a fairly realistic chance that he could get traded at the Trade Deadline to a playoff team for a bad contract and a pick. For now, I'd hold out and see if something else materializes. I'm not too worried about the missed opportunity of a SRP 7 years down the road.

And for the record, I said the trade was reasonable and make some sense. But from the Wizards perspective, I don't think I'd pull the trigger. At least not right now.

If Middleton is still averaging around 10-11 ppg and doesn’t have a major injury, I can definitely see WAS flipping him to a contender at the trade deadline for a similar type of package involving some bench guys and seconds. As a veteran shot-maker and former 2nd option on a recent championship team, he could definitely play a 7th man for a team going for it in 2026.

He makes 33 million a year. Most contenders, due to apron situations, cannot afford to trade two for one. It's going to be a lot more complicated than you think.

JJJ and a 2nd are certainly worth more than Middleton; Rozier's second year is what they are paying the Wiz for with that value. He's got no spot on the squad with 3 1st round picks from last and this year at guard, multiple young wings that can play the 2, plus expiring vets CJ McCollum and Marcus Smart. With the Wiz trying to showcase CJ and Smart for trade, he would be the 6th or 7th guard off the bench. Would he be a good soldier about it? On the other hand, Middleton's on/off might make Washington lose some games we could have tanked but I'm not terribly worried about that.

And, the Wiz have concentrated all the team's expirings to expire together to go after a big fish next year when they don't owe our 1st if they are ready to start playing competently.

So several reasons why not, though it's certainly reasonable value in another situation.