The Washington Wizards may be an interesting team to watch heading to the NBA’s trade deadline on February 5th. Claiming the first major move of the league’s trade season with the Trae Young deal, the front office could have more moves lined up. One of them, per Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report, could involve Washington’s eldest player.
Should The Wizards Buyout Veteran Forward’s Contract?
Khris Middleton is in the midst of what will be his last season in Washington. After being involved in the Kyle Kuzma deal right before last season’s deadline, Middleton picked up his player-option worth $33 million to stay in D.C one more year. Now in January, rumors suggest Middleton could be out sooner than his contract’s expiration.
Potential Buyout
Middleton buyout conversations have been happening since earlier this season. The veteran wasn’t playing great, and some thought it would be better for the Wizards to bite the bullet and send him packing. While his play has improved ever so slightly, a change of scenery may be on the horizon.
In 26 outings this season, Middleton has averaged 9.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 24 minutes per game. Bailey’s reason for the Wizards to buyout Middleton is simple:
“The Wizards would have to have three or four more stretches like this [7-7 in last 14] to be seriously concerned with losing their first-rounder (it goes to the New York Knicks if it lands outside the top eight), but having Young at least puts that somewhere in the realm of possibility.
To cut that off (and to open up more minutes for rookie guard Tre Johnson), Washington will be ultra conservative with Young’s return timeline on this current injury. And for good measure, the Wizards will also buy out 34-year-old Khris Middleton.”
Essentially, it’s all about keeping the losses coming. To a certain point, the tank is at its best now after CJ McCollum’s departure. However, Middleton clogs up minutes for a team eager to develop all the talent possible. Getting rid of him almost seems inevitable at this point.
This move could immediately open up financial options for the front office as well. Playing devil’s advocate, however, Middleton’s market value should be explored before any buyout conversations take place.
Middleton’s Potential Value On Market
Middleton is still somewhat serviceable to any roster looking to add some experience as the postseason draws closer. If Washington simply buys him out, they miss out on the rest of what could be one of the biggest trade seasons in NBA history.
While D.C doesn’t need the services of a Ja Morant, there are so many talents that teams have been rumored to be moving before the deadline. Middleton’s contract provides any team with flexibility over the offseason, meaning they can go chase a free agent, or multiple, once his contract is officially up. In turn, this could give the Wizards a chance to trade for a bigger name to pair with Young heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
The Wizards have been linked to multiple talents over the season, and plenty have popped up as available since the Young deal. Being realistic, one player, Jonathan Kuminga, has been linked to the Wizards. Could he be the next piece in Washington’s evolved rebuild?
However, so many other names have had rumors swirling recently. Jaren Jackson Jr, De’Andre Hunter, Zach LaVine, and others have seen their names begin to circulate. Should the Wizards front office push for another blockbuster?
The Last Word On Middleton
The NBA landscape could very well look completely different by the deadline. So many names are on the market, and the Wizards could be buyers and sellers as the days go by. Keep an eye on them; they hold real cards and are looking to make a serious splash.
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