Khris Middleton Contract Discussion (and Poll)

[paulpressey25]

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.

[bucksfansince88]

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.

you have to match just for the sake of not losing him for nothing and still not having any roster flexibility/cap space to replenish his lost production. letting him walk would be GM Malpractice.

[Ruben Quevedo]

If we match, how soon can we trade him?

[Ron Swanson]

If those are literally the only two options then you're crazy if you just willingly let him walk while gaining absolutely zero cap room. What would be the practical reason from a roster construction standpoint?

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

All of these hypotheticals depend entirely on how discussions with Giannis goes. Like if he's 50/50 or asks for this to be done, sure do it. But if he is cool with a rebuild or has Eurostep out the door, you go another direction.

[Couch Potato]

If we match, how soon can we trade him?

He's not a RFA. So if he signs elsewhere he's gone. We would have to make the first move to sign him or sign and trade. Or he opts in or out. If we sign him. Can't trade him, until around next seasons trade deadline. So long for him to get injured or something to be stuck with him and not trade him. I prefer he opts-in, then trade him or agrees to a sign and trade. But yeah if he opts out. Were forced into signing him and hope he's healthy at the trade deadline to trade him.

[paulpressey25]

If those are literally the only two options then you're crazy if you just willingly let him walk while gaining absolutely zero cap room. What would be the practical reason from a roster construction standpoint?

This is why despite Middleton being injured much of the last year, the pressure is on the Bucks. Those sweet shooting percentages put us behind the 8-ball if a team with cash decides to spend.

I'm all for bringing him back at 3/$90. That's his true value IMO, given his injuries. But like Tim Thomas, Michael Redd and others before him, one bidder can put us in a big hole.

[AussieBuck]

Sign him and then trade him the first day you can do so I guess. Take a punt on him staying healthy a little while.

[RiotPunch]

Under no circumstances do you let him walk, imo (unless the knees are just done). Either he opts in or you pay him and S&T or gamble that he rehabs his trade value.

[emunney]

If those are literally the only two options then you're crazy if you just willingly let him walk while gaining absolutely zero cap room. What would be the practical reason from a roster construction standpoint?

Well, 4/160 would likely ensure that we wouldn't be able to trade our picks after Giannis is gone, and they'd all be at the end of the first round. In the meantime we could forget about using any cap exceptions to bring in outside talent (except for the minimum salary exception). Buy-outs would also be off the table, and we wouldn't be able to send out cash in trades (no buying picks). We'd be left with trades (taking on more salary than we sent out would be forbidden), our meager supply of draft picks, and minimum salary free agents as the only means to bring in talent. It's not nothing.

[MissKhriddleton]

Not totally knowledgeable on our cap flexibility, but signing a guy for $100 million more than he’s actually worth can’t ever be a good idea.

[paulpressey25]

It's not nothing.

What you’re saying is all those new CBA restrictions kick in. But if we dump the $40 million, they don’t. Would be curious what the luxury tax bill savings also translates to. Would this get us out of the repeater?

[MickeyDavis]

3/90 is what I'd be comfortable with. Unfortunately it will probably be max or let him walk. I'd let him walk if we'd get cap space but we won't. Glad Lasry is gone.

[Ron Swanson]

From my knowledge the 2nd tax apron stuff isn't gonna be fully implemented for another 2-years correct? I'm just not seeing any benefit outside of saving luxury tax dollars right now for ownership. And that's not even getting into the idea that a lot of people have been advocating for Jrue/Bobby/Pat trades that could easily rectify the payroll dilemma.

[yannisk]

Not totally knowledgeable on our cap flexibility, but signing a guy for $100 million more than he’s actually worth can’t ever be a good idea.

I remember there were a few posters advocating giving Jabari the max so that we "don't lose him for nothing"

before that it was give Brandon Knight whatever he wants so that we don't lose him for nothing

Maybe it does not make a difference this year cap wise, but probably it does down the road when contracts get of the book

[Antinomy]

In a league where guys like Tyler Herro & Jordan Poole make $130M, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Khris get 4/$160M.

His true value in an ideal world is about 3/$90M, but that’s not the way the league works now.

That’s Cam Johnson, Lu Dort money.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

the poll results so far make me sad

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

3/90 would be a crazy ass value deal my god

[Baddy Chuck]

I think paying Khris Middleton x amount over letting him walk for nothing improves our chances of winning another championship so I would keep him.

[Antinomy]

Hell, CP3 just got 4/$120M from Phoenix at 36-37 years old.

Kyle Lowry on one leg got 3/$90M at 36 years old.

Khris is 31 guys.

Prepare yourselves.