Khris Middleton Contract Discussion (and Poll)

[ReginaldDwight]

Middleton on 4 years 160 mil would maybe be the worst deal in the league the second the ink hits the paper

[msiris]

Lets hope he ops in.

[raferfenix]

Middleton makes way more sense for Houston if he’d be coming with Harden.

The Rockets do have $61 million in space if either or both take a pay cut (or just accept that’s what the market is). But the Bucks would have way more leverage.

Hammond might bet on Khris yet again but $40 million per seems steep considering how young that team is otherwise.

Cuban is a swing for the fences guy but someone’s gotta play defense to cover for Kyrie and Luka.

[Ayt]

There is no option.

[JayMKE]

Find a sign & trade, at this point Khris is not worth 40M a season. Committing long term seems crazy, he's one injury away from being a dead contract for years which is even worse than losing him for nothing.

[brettski]

To me the offensive production might still be there on that contract BUT he will get absolutely hunted on defence and you can't hide him the way you could maybe hide a point guard. Either let him walk or sign and trade him.

[blazza18]

Only way we can get better is if we pay him and then look to move him.

[paulpressey25]

Find a sign & trade, at this point Khris is not worth 40M a season. Committing long term seems crazy, he's one injury away from being a dead contract for years which is even worse than losing him for nothing.

The Sign and Trade is a great plan.

But Khris has to like the destination. He’s from Texas, and many NBA players enjoy playing in Houston. If he targets that as acceptable, we have zero leverage, unless they want both Middleton and Harden. But in that case, Philly will play for the S&T with their guy.

[raferfenix]

Fair point Houston would sign and trade for Harden before Middleton.

We might be stuck if the Rockets go for it.

[RiotPunch]

Find a sign & trade, at this point Khris is not worth 40M a season. Committing long term seems crazy, he's one injury away from being a dead contract for years which is even worse than losing him for nothing.

The Sign and Trade is a great plan.

But Khris has to like the destination. He’s from Texas, and many NBA players enjoy playing in Houston. If he targets that as acceptable, we have zero leverage, unless they want both Middleton and Harden. But in that case, Philly will play for the S&T with their guy.

I wouldn't say he's *from* Texas. Went to A&M, but he's a South Carolina kid. But yeah, if he's fond of his college years, Houston is ~90 miles from College Station.

[raferfenix]

Only way we can get better is if we pay him and then look to move him.

Could we trade an extended Khash at the 2024 draft?

I’m not sure if we could trade him earlier.

We’re in a tough spot but whatever we do punting on another year of Giannis’ prime — especially if we aren’t getting younger in a 1 step back for 2 steps forward scenario — seems way risky.

[Antinomy]

I think some of you are overrating what $40M a year actually looks like in *today’s* NBA.

You’re not getting an above average starter for less than $30-35M.

Role players are making $20-25M these days.

Specialists are making $10-15M.

If we give Khris 4/$160M, that will EASILY be movable in 3 years — even if he declines a bit.

I’ve been around long enough to see much worse contracts than that be moved, relative to the salary cap. Gone are the days where you had to trade half your roster to match a large salary.

[RiotPunch]

I think some of you are overrating what $40M a year actually looks like in *today’s* NBA.

You’re not getting an above average starter for less than $30-35M.

Role players are making $20-25M these days.

Specialists are making $10-15M.

If we give Khris 4/$160M, that will EASILY be movable in 3 years — even if he declines a bit.

I’ve been around long enough to see much worse contracts than that be moved, relative to the salary cap. Gone are the days where you had to trade half your roster to match a large salary.

With cap smoothing in the new CBA, I think you are underestimating the future implications of a contract like that.

We still have to do it, imo, but it won't be "easily movable" in 3 years.

[tski1972]

Wanted to move this particular topic to a new thread for the time being, and put a poll out there.

The poll is - If the Bucks need to match a 4/$160 offer from Houston (or Orlando or other team) to keep Middleton should they? Please note, plenty of opportunity to discuss in the thread about "how that scenario just won't happen", but I think we need to be prepared for it. How do you vote if that's what comes down?

Here are some specifics on Middleton's contract:
-$40.4 million left for next year
-Can opt out before June 30th
-Bucks can do an extension with him before then, but needs to have at least a $40.4mm starting salary

If he opts out and we roll over to July 1st:
-Bucks will still retain his Bird rights and can sign him to a 4 year deal at up to $200+ million (or even a five-year deal)
-Other teams could offer him a 4-year max or up to $200 million total

He turns 32 in August.

Dumb question….can the contract be descending as long as it starts at $40.4M?

[theFireBlanket]

You absolutely match it, regardless of anything else.

For me you keep him & roll. For others you look to move it. Either way, you don't let Khris walk.

[BMatt07]

Middleton at 4/160 would surely be one of the worst contracts in the league.

Watching him try to defend this last series was just brutal, the guy can't move laterally anymore.

[worthlessBucks]

Send a postcard

[MikeIsGood]

Send a postcard

My dude, good to see you back a bit recently.

[fan230]

We must re-sign him

[dedned]

Think you gotta match and hope he's good and trade him as soon as possible.