Offseason Poll: Knight or Middleton?

[M-C-G]

Middleton for skill set and height and versatility - heck he can even play PF for a few mpg and hold his own. But I respect Knight more than a lot on here.

But its a moot question as FO has already said Knight will get a deal done. And I'm sure they like Khris enough to keep him also.

The way I approach them is they are both primarily SGs who each play SG 24 mg - starting whoever is the better matchup that game and fill out there PT with 6 to 12 mpg as backup PG and backup SF. Both play 30-36 mpg.

I think its great Bucks are winning. I'll drink the kool-aid and ride this season out with current class knowing in off season FO will resign both and then trade all our other SGs - Mayo Bayless Dudley who have value as both well regarded contributors with expiring contracts. At this year's deadline I make a trade to add a big and then roll - maybe something like these

Ersan & lac's 1st to POR for Leonard & Robinson & 2nd
Ersan & lac's 1st to UT for Kanter & 2nd
Ersan & lac's 1st Zaza Dudley to NETS for Lopez

I like that 2nd one. Great example of converting cap to talented young players if you can pull that off.

[GoldenAntlers]

Yeah, that second trade looks good if it's possible.

As far as the poll goes I think I've been converted on both Middleton and knight this season.

This team is the most entertaining basketball ive watched, on a consistent basis. If we have Middleton knight Giannis and Jabari going forward for the next 4 years I think that team grows into contention (especially with picking up a versatile center) [Sanders [UNAMUSED FACE]]

I'm no longer sold on needing a traditional point guard. Knight plays his heart out each game. Under Kidd, I think he will only get better and that he is still a couple years from his ceiling.

Bucks keep them both and I'm happy about it.

[SkilesTheLimit]

Middleton.

Guys like him are the key to winning. Efficiency is his most impressive attribute. He does it with low usage and it makes him the perfect complement to Giannis and Jabari. These are the Korver/Matthews types that you need on Championship teams. Middleton may never make the leap that Jimmy Butler did but very few do. His thing is consistency. I need to see him sustain this level of play for the remainder of the season. I know he's a hard worker and should come back next year even better.

[Outlander]

Voted Middleton, at the very least he is a great sixth man that play defense. Best case he is the answer at shooting guard for the next ten years. I think the Bucks could get a pretty good return for Knight in a sign and trade, some young players that could be a lottery ticket that turns into a Middleton type players and a good pick.

[ampd]

Playing shorthanded middleton has produced in a larger scoring role the last couple games. I want to see if he can do that over the course of the rest of the year.

wow did we win that trade with the pistons.

[Treebeard]

Maybe a poll on what level of salary would you match per player? That is still subjective, but we are already comparing apples and oranges with these guys - they don't play the same role.

[Newz]

I will also say that while I prefer to keep Middleton and not overpay Knight...

The idea of letting Knight go is kind of scary. He has all of the tools and while I don't think he figures it out mentally, if he does the guy is pretty much going to be Billups 2.0. Resigning him could very well end up being an enormous mistake... letting him go could end up being just as bad of a mistake though.

[LUKE23]

If we do re-sign Knight, I don't expect them to move him off ball. So I think the biggest risk you are taking is that he really prevents Giannis/Parker from getting the ball in spots they need to, and/or hurting their usage. We have seen some signs of that changing but I think it's a major question mark moving forward.

If Knight could actually become a really good ball movement guy (he isn't now) and cut down his turnovers, then the offensive potential of our starting five is crazy high.

I know I mentioned this a few times already, but it kind of illustrates the issue: we are tied for 8th in the NBA in TS. Our O Rating is 22nd. The primary reason is turnovers. Now, that's not only on Knight, but to me it starts with your PG and his individual turnover rate is extremely high.

[RRyder823]

Honestly I think this question should be who would you be willing to pay more?

That said I go with Middleton cause I think Knight has more trade value right now and should be traded before the deadline if the right deal hits the table

[Newz]

If we do re-sign Knight, I don't expect them to move him off ball. So I think the biggest risk you are taking is that he really prevents Giannis/Parker from getting the ball in spots they need to, and/or hurting their usage. We have seen some signs of that changing but I think it's a major question mark moving forward.

If Knight could actually become a really good ball movement guy (he isn't now) and cut down his turnovers, then the offensive potential of our starting five is crazy high.

I know I mentioned this a few times already, but it kind of illustrates the issue: we are tied for 8th in the NBA in TS. Our O Rating is 22nd. The primary reason is turnovers. Now, that's not only on Knight, but to me it starts with your PG and his individual turnover rate is extremely high.

Yeah.

I think the Bucks will bring back Knight and Middleton. I think next year we roll with Knight - Middleton - Giannis - Jabari - Henson (or Sanders if he stops being insane/actually plays). I think the organization believes they have four out of five spots taken care of. I think they may even believe that the center spot has a small chance of being on lockdown if Henson can break out or Sanders can snap out of it and get back to being a defensive beast.

[LUKE23]

Rolling out that starting five wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, I'm just concerned as to what they would pay Knight, and his PG issues. I'd really like to get a PG in the draft.

[Giannis Parker]

You guys should check out the team stats over the last 18 games since Middleton became a starter. You will be thoroughly surprised by Knight and his PG ability as well.

We are still in development stage, pay em both and grow them as much as possible. The best part is that it seems we are going to be able to do this as a perennial playoff team under Kidd.

[Newz]

Rolling out that starting five wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, I'm just concerned as to what they would pay Knight, and his PG issues. I'd really like to get a PG in the draft.

There are worse scenarios than keeping Knight at ~$12 million a year and Middleton at ~$9 million a year or whatever it would be. Even if we drafted a PG (which would still be ideal) and Knight continued to flounder in the PG role... then the guard you drafted could potentially step in and send one of Knight or MIddleton to the sixth man role.

I just have the fear that is we pay those guys those amounts one of them is going to end up being an albatross. Perhaps it's just fear of being burned by years of horrendous contracts handed out by the Bucks though.

Middleton is only worth that if he plays like an elite role player and Knight is only worth that if he can keep up this scoring production or learn to truly play the PG position at a high level. Both of those things could happen... not sure what the odds are that both of them do though. I'm more sold on Middleton being a long-term contributor because he has proven that unless something strange happens he will always be able to space the floor at a high level. Knight to me is still a crapshoot... high risk, high reward type signing.

[Badgerlander]

So who is a threat to sign Knight to an offer? It seems the Knicks like Reggie Jackson and I think the Lakers go after Rondo, so that leaves the Mavs?

[ReasonablySober]

Hell, maybe the Bucks get lucky and the market for Knight is soft. All Teague got when he hit RFA was our 4/$32 offer sheet, and the league is stocked with better point guards at the moment. I'm guessing at least one team between the Lakers and Knicks end up with Mudiay, and either could see Russell as a point guard too.

I don't want Knight around, but if he's back at an average of $8 million per season he's at least someone you can move or sit on the bench.

[tydett]

God, would Shaun Livingston be a nice bridge PG to play with Knight at SG till they found a real one.

[worthlessBucks]

In my utopia we resign them both at good rates to secure a very talented core group of players. Draft another quality big mid round, get Jabari healthy, and hopefully Larry solves his demons. Profit.

I prefer my utopia over the post apocalyptic Knight resigning dystopia that many of you fear. RUN FOR THE HILLS

[Newz]

Hell, maybe the Bucks get lucky and the market for Knight is soft. All Teague got when he hit RFA was our 4/$32 offer sheet, and the league is stocked with better point guards at the moment. I'm guessing at least one team between the Lakers and Knicks end up with Mudiay, and either could see Russell as a point guard too.

I don't want Knight around, but if he's back at an average of $8 million per season he's at least someone you can move or sit on the bench.

I don't see the Lakers ever offering a guy like Knight huge money. Their standard is always winning titles and they know that signing Knight to a big deal in their current state is just pure stupidity... or you think they'd know that.

I also don't think Phil Jackson is going to view a guy like Brandon Knight as his path back to the title either. He knows he needs to be looking for Jordans, Pippens, Shaqs and Kobes... not guys like Brandon Knight.