Rumors

“You’ll see that it’s going to kill some of the smaller market teams that go for it,” another front office source told Heavy. “Milwaukee got a championship, but then it started costing them so much money that they had to make moves to cut back. The biggest reason to trade Khris Middleton was that it got them off some money. To be able to sign Myles Turner, they had to do the thing with (Dame) Lillard (waive and stretch his remaining money over five years). They had to do that to stay under that apron.

Heavy.com

Former NBA big man and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins says a 2021 debate over the Milwaukee Bucks turned frightening when he and his family were targeted with death threats over his Bucks take. On the Road Trippin’ podcast, Perkins recalled the 2021 NBA Finals between the Bucks and Phoenix Suns. At the time, he publicly backed Khris Middleton as “Batman” over two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. The take was standard sports television fare. But Perkins said it sparked something far more serious off the air. “I started getting a death threat,” Perkins said. “It was going to my wife’s account. This dude was sending me threat after threat. ‘I am going to kill your kids; I know where you stay. I am going to murder you.’ This was real life.”

Clutch Points

Corey Kispert: “This is going to be year five for me now and I feel like a veteran on this team even though I'm really not. I feel old, but then you bring a guy like Marcus or a guy like CJ or Khris Middleton into our locker room like just their presence, everyone kind of like tightens up. So it's only a good thing for them only good thing for us to have them in our locker room.”

YouTube

Middleton is a three-time all-star and 2021 NBA champion who ranks 22nd among active players in career earnings, per Spotrac. McCollum, who’s four slots behind, has averaged at least 20 points per game every season since the 2015-16 season. While they have the most name recognition on the Wizards, they’re also among the least important for the team’s long-term future. So why are they in D.C., spending among the last years of impressive careers on a team that will likely finish near the bottom of the standings? Part of it — the part the Wizards brass emphasizes — is that both can be positive influences for the organization’s young talent. The veterans’ heady play could provide on-court stability for an occasionally disorganized team. Middleton and McCollum are also well-respected for their professionalism and could serve as role models to learn from and emulate.

Washington Post

The Wizards, in the early stages of a rebuild, were happy to take Middleton’s contract in the swap, but that wasn’t the prize. That would be guard AJ Johnson, a 2024 first-round pick who fits the organization’s timetable. Washington also acquired a 2028 first-round pick swap. Another benefit for Washington: Middleton’s deal expires after next season while Kuzma’s runs through 2027, bringing the Wizards closer to having cap space. That desire for financial flexibility also prompted the move for McCollum, which a person with knowledge of the deal described as the next phase of the Bradley Beal trade.

Washington Post

The Wizards could have more than $100 million in cap space after next season when Middleton’s and McCollum’s contracts expire. What they do with that room depends on how the season goes — but a very real path is that Washington continues to take on expensive contracts from teams needing cap relief and acquires more draft assets as sweeteners.

Washington Post

Sirius XM NBA Radio: "There was a trade - I'm talking a long time ago - Khris Middleton for Jimmy Butler swap – Giannis was like ‘nah we’re not doing that’ – that was only time I ever saw him stand up and say something” @Johnhenson31 gives insight to @worldwidewob & @adaniels33 about Giannis and the team’s front office.

x.com

Shams Charania: Washington Wizards three-time NBA All-Star Khris Middleton has picked up his $33.3 million player option for the 2025-26 season, sources tell ESPN.

Twitter

EuroHoops: 🇺🇲🔥 Former NBA Champion, Khris Middleton is in attendance for the Barcelona–Unicaja game in Barcelona!

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Jim Owczarski: I watched a workout between Khris and Tyler when Middleton was getting ready to come back, and Khris just manhandled him. Smith couldn't move. They had to stop the drill and restart it. Like that can't happen for him to be a real contributor. Not to say he can't get there, but that's the physical development they need. But they've got him for a few years here, so if he can just keep building up his body, working on his shot/interior game, who knows!

Reddit

Jorge Sierra: Donovan Mitchell moved from No. 107 to No. 98 in playoff scoring, passing Dave Cowens, George Mikan, Rajon Rondo, Terry Cummings, Tom Chambers, Alex English, Andre Iguodala, Sam Cassell and Khris Middleton.

bsky.app

StatMuse: Pat Connaughton vs Detroit: 43 PTS (career-high) 11 REB 5 AST 2 STL Joins Giannis, Khris, and Kareem as the only Bucks with a 40/10/5 game. pic.x.com/FuiGg08Hlq

Twitter

Damian Lillard: Because it’s different. It’s not like playing with Khris Middleton or Brook [Lopez] or Bobby [Portis]—you know, guys where it’s still all built around him. He’s never played with a player of my caliber. Even Jrue—Jrue’s a big-time guard. But Jrue’s not a seven-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Star. You know what I mean? Jrue’s great at a lot of different things. In some ways, I think his simplicity might have helped. Because Jrue didn’t care if he averaged 8 or 10 points. Jrue would get a rebound, and if Giannis is clapping for it, he just throws it ahead. Last year in Boston, Jrue was even in the dunker spot. But I’m a guy averaging 30 points a game. It’s a different ballclub. It was a big adjustment for both of us. Especially for me—going into a whole new environment, right? That was a big thing too.”

YouTube

Josh Robbins: The Wizards' injury report for the final game of their season: Saddiq Bey, Malcolm Brogdon, Bilal Coulibaly, Anthony Gill, Richaun Holmes, Corey Kispert, Khris Middleton and Jordan Poole are all OUT. JT Thor is QUESTIONABLE to play because of right knee soreness.

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