Should Middleton and/or McCollum also seek buyouts?

[Crymson]

Thanks to the stupid (albeit unsurprising) trade the Pelicans made with Atlanta, they've got absolutely zero incentive to tank this season and every incentive to win as much as they can. Having McCollum is helpful toward the latter end. They've got no reason to let him simply leave.

The Wizards are a different story, and that case would depend upon how much they like having Middleton around and how much money he'd be willing to surrender in a buyout.

[Monky15]

I think CJ will be traded sooner or later. Once teams can package guys they just traded for it frees a couple moves up.
Miami - Rozier, Fontecchio and 2nds saves Miami $5M and gets them a better player.
Boston - Simons, Niang and 2nds saves the Celtics some cash.

[penbeast0]

Of course, the Wiz have an extra deep stockpile of 2nds and have jiggered their vets so they are all expiring next year as they want to keep all their young guys and have space to make a potentially big move. Plus, getting quality players who play team ball to mentor is also a priority with those vets; CJ and Middleton seem to be that kind of guy. So, not a lot of incentive for the Wiz in those suggestions.

[Billl]

The thing about "veteran leadership" is that it only really works if the guy wants to be there and he wants to play that role. Otherwise, it's just a guy biding his time until he can get out of there. Not sure what either of these guys are thinking, but most guys who have played at a high level would rather be a role player on a competitive team than a mentor on a rebuilding squad.

[gswhoops]

I think CJ will be traded sooner or later. Once teams can package guys they just traded for it frees a couple moves up.
Miami - Rozier, Fontecchio and 2nds saves Miami $5M and gets them a better player.
Boston - Simons, Niang and 2nds saves the Celtics some cash.

Washington has at least 7, and potentially as many as 10 2nd round picks over the next 3 years. I don't think more 2nds is going to entice them to take on money for lesser players.

[Monky15]

I think CJ will be traded sooner or later. Once teams can package guys they just traded for it frees a couple moves up.
Miami - Rozier, Fontecchio and 2nds saves Miami $5M and gets them a better player.
Boston - Simons, Niang and 2nds saves the Celtics some cash.

Washington has at least 7, and potentially as many as 10 2nd round picks over the next 3 years. I don't think more 2nds is going to entice them to take on money for lesser players.

2nds is all Washington can reasonably expect while only taking back expiring contracts. Not that they have to trade him but I figure something is better than the nothing you would get from letting him expire or be waived.

[Mamba4Goat]

Would there be any bad optics from his role with the player’s union if CJ asked to be bought out? I know he no longer holds the role, but could it be heavily frowned upon for him?

[Mamba4Goat]

Thanks to the stupid (albeit unsurprising) trade the Pelicans made with Atlanta, they've got absolutely zero incentive to tank this season and every incentive to win as much as they can. Having McCollum is helpful toward the latter end. They've got no reason to let him simply leave.

The Wizards are a different story, and that case would depend upon how much they like having Middleton around and how much money he'd be willing to surrender in a buyout.

The Pels-Wiz made a Poole for McCollum swap. McCollum is a Wizard now.

[penbeast0]

The thing about "veteran leadership" is that it only really works if the guy wants to be there and he wants to play that role. Otherwise, it's just a guy biding his time until he can get out of there. Not sure what either of these guys are thinking, but most guys who have played at a high level would rather be a role player on a competitive team than a mentor on a rebuilding squad.

That's why I said that McCollum and Middleton seem to be buying into the role. Talking the talk anyway. If not, I absolutely agree with you.

[Crymson]

Thanks to the stupid (albeit unsurprising) trade the Pelicans made with Atlanta, they've got absolutely zero incentive to tank this season and every incentive to win as much as they can. Having McCollum is helpful toward the latter end. They've got no reason to let him simply leave.

The Wizards are a different story, and that case would depend upon how much they like having Middleton around and how much money he'd be willing to surrender in a buyout.

The Pels-Wiz made a Poole for McCollum swap. McCollum is a Wizard now.

Whoops, my bad!

[jbk1234]

Would there be any bad optics from his role with the player’s union if CJ asked to be bought out? I know he no longer holds the role, but could it be heavily frowned upon for him?

I suspect that given how much Smart gave back in order to be bought out before the season started, that's the bigger hurdle.

[jbk1234]

I think CJ will be traded sooner or later. Once teams can package guys they just traded for it frees a couple moves up.
Miami - Rozier, Fontecchio and 2nds saves Miami $5M and gets them a better player.
Boston - Simons, Niang and 2nds saves the Celtics some cash.

Washington has at least 7, and potentially as many as 10 2nd round picks over the next 3 years. I don't think more 2nds is going to entice them to take on money for lesser players.

2nds is all Washington can reasonably expect while only taking back expiring contracts. Not that they have to trade him but I figure something is better than the nothing you would get from letting him expire or be waived.

Regardless of what they could reasonably expect, it's not much incentive and rebuilding teams tend to be in no rush before the season starts. The Simons and Niang package might have legs, but taking back extra money matters.