What's your best offer for Middleton?

[LarBrd33]

I know some people want Gallo and I totally get that... But as good as Gallo is... he's 27 years old, has a history of injuries, and is a career 14.5 point scorer with less efficient shooting percentages than you might think... 40%/37%/87%...   He's good... I get it...

The dude I've wanted is Khris Middleton.  He is 24 years old... has no history of major injuries, is a better shooter and probably a better defender.  6'8 234 pound SG/SF...  That's the guy I want.  I'm a sucker for shooters, and Middleton is a shooter.  He was a restricted free agent and the Bucks locked him up for 15 mil a year for the next 5 years.  It seemed like he was someone who could potentially be snagged, because the Bucks would be building around Jabari and Giannis (who both play the same position as Middleton)... He can't be traded until Jan 14th (next week).

Two years ago he averaged 12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.1, 1 steal on 44%/41%/86% shooting.   

Last season he averaged 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals on 47%/41%/86% shooting....  When you see that kind of efficiency, it's only a matter of time before the guy starts getting more opportunities.   Last season he picked it up over the second half averaging 17 points...

Some people thought he'd be pushed aside thanks to Jabari Parker returning but that couldn't have been further from the truth.  Nobody else on that team can shoot from distance... if anything, Middleton's role just keeps increasing.  This season he's averaging 16.8 points, 3.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals with 44%/45%/88% shooting (he's shooting 48% on catch-and-shoot 3 pointers).   

He's looked outstanding recently.  On a very small scale this reminds of of how I felt when I saw Steph Curry averaging 15 points for the Warriors a handful of years ago.  The efficiency was there... yet he was in the shadow of Monta Ellis.  I'm not at all saying that Middleton has a Curry-like ceiling, but it feels similar to me... and underutilized guy who can probably be averaging 20 points on another team.  Unfortunately, I think the Bucks are starting to realize that Middleton is their best player.  Middleton's usage has gone up a lot recently.  Over his past 13 games he's averaged 22 points, 5.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds.  He's shooting lights out. 

Still... in the wake of this, Jabari Parker has basically been pushed aside.  They aren't running the ball through Parker at all... he's just getting cuts to the basket and stuff.   It almost makes the most sense for the Bucks to trade away Parker, honestly.  He's likely never going to be a great defender and if you aren't trying to use him as your team's top offensive weapon, why bother? 

But assuming they'd still want to build around Parker and Giannis... what do you think it would take to get Middleton.   On Jan 14th when he can finally be traded, what's your best offer for him? 

Watch this guy... he'd be perfect for us: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-jBrnRkL6Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFx7h72hWNQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k5g7j8BNBQ

[LarBrd33]

Just found a really good article about Middleton evolving into the Bucks go-to scorer:  http://hoopshabit.com/2016/01/06/khris-middleton-milwaukee-bucks-unlikely-go-weapon/

Talks about how his usage has exploded recently and his efficiency hasn't taken a hit.

Spearheaded by the long-limbed avatar known as the Greek Freak (government name: Giannis Antetokounmpo) and the doughy — albeit, mind-bogglingly explosive — Jabari Parker, the Bucks were supposed to the next logical leap into the Eastern Conference elite after making a surprising playoff run last season under first-year head coach Jason Kidd.
...

Who’s leading their offensive attack, though, may come as somewhat of a pleasant surprise.

Coming into the year, many expected their prized free agent signing, Monroe, to serve as the team’s primary offensive hub on the low block, while Giannis and Jabari receive the majority of the touches on the wings.

Playing a complementary, 3-and-D role, Khris Middleton was supposed to be merely the yin (a.k.a. glorified floor spacer) to the Bucks’ holy trinity’s yang. After all, the 6’8″ swingman not only thrived, but was one of the most effective players in the league in the aforesaid role last year.
...
In addition to his bread and butter, Milwaukee has been putting the ball in Middleton’s hands, and utilizing the fourth-year wing in a secondary ballhandler capacity.

Most noticeably, since Joe Prunty took over the interim head coaching duties from the ailing Kidd some six games ago, Khris has taken a much bigger offensive role. In fact, Middleton — a career 19.5 percent usage rate player — has seen said usage explode north of 25 percent in this incumbent, albeit temporary, Prunty era.

More encouragingly, during the mentioned stretch, Middleton has averaged 22.7 points and 4.7 assists a contest on an ultra-efficient 65.7 percent TS%.

If that means this thread needs to get railroaded with Jabari Parker trade ideas, so be it...   I'd be happy with either one of those guys

[Csfan1984]

I see Middleton as more a SF. Yet if him and Crowder switch spots based on best match up it works well for them. So I'd say AB, Turner and KO for Middleton. It's no secret that Bucks need more depth which Turner and KO can give them. AB is also still a good starting SG that adds leadership. If C's are going to a tight rotation it again makes sense to give up players over picks.
Starters=IT, KM, Jae, AJ, Sully
Bench=Smart, JJ, Lee, Zeller
Reserves=Rozier, Hunter, Young, Mickey

[walker834]

I was just going to make a post offering Crowder for Parker.  Seems like Middleton, Giannis and MOnroe would be the best fits on that team. Middleton gives them some range.  That's something Giannis and Monroe don't have.  They have a nice starting 5 but it all doesnt seem to fit right especially with Jabari not developed yet.  Seems to me like Crowder for Parker would make more sense for them give them some toughness and shooting to go with Middleton.

I don't see why they would trade Middleton for Crowder.  They'd be in even worse a bind.

[LarBrd33]

I see Middleton as more a SF. Yet if him and Crowder switch spots based on best match up it works well for them. So I'd say AB, Turner and KO for Middleton. It's no secret that Bucks need more depth which Turner and KO can give them. AB is also still a good starting SG that adds leadership. If C's are going to a tight rotation it again makes sense to give up players over picks.
Starts=IT, KM, Jae, AJ, Sully
Bench=Smart, JJ, Lee, Zeller
Reserves=Rozier, Hunter, Young, Mickey

Bucks defense is actually struggling in a big way with Monroe and Parker as their "bigs"... they need to make a move at some point.  I actually wonder if it makes sense for them to move Parker for Nerlens Noel... though I don't know if Greg Monroe could play PF next to Noel.   

I wouldn't mind your offer for Middleton.   I'm not sure if it makes sense for the Bucks.   If we offered them Lee's expiring contract for Middleton, I wonder how many 1st rounders we'd have to include to make it worth it for them... could you do it without giving up the Brooklyn pick?   I mean, if Boston offered the Bucks the expiring contract of Lee + three first rounders (like Boston's + Dallas + a future Celtic pick) for Middleton, do the Bucks do it?  They are middle of the pack right now, but taking Middleton out of the equation would let them give the offensive keys to Jabari and tank their own pick... while also having 1st rounders from Boston.

[Irish Stew]

I see no reason for the Bucks to trade their leading scorer who is also shooting 45 3P% except for a ridiculous overpay involving our Brooklyn pick and a rotation player or two that would make little sense for us. Parker doesn't seem like a good fit for Stevens as he apparently has not hit a single 3 point shot this year. Orlando seems like much more fertile ground with Fournier, Harris, and Hezonja.

[walker834]

Middleton is really the guy we want. His body type reminds me of Reggie Lewis but his shot is like Rashard.  Are the bucks that stupid to trade him to us?

The way Middleton is playing they seem like they would be more inclined to trade Parker. Middleton is that good.

[MJohnnyboy]

Middleton is really the guy we want. His body type reminds me of Reggie Lewis but his shot is like Rashard.  Are the bucks that stupid to trade him to us?

The way Middleton is playing they seem like they would be more inclined to trade Parker. Middleton is that good.

They traded their best player mid-way through last season for an all-around downgrade so, yeah they definitely are.

[walker834]

Parker isn't playing too good but has a lot of potential as well.  I think Parker just needs to be let loose himself. On a team like ours where he could be a go to guy I think he would flourish.

[LarBrd33]

Parker isn't playing too good but has a lot of potential as well.  I think Parker just needs to be let loose himself. On a team like ours where he could be a go to guy I think he would flourish.

Parker is basically playing out of position and not being used to his strengths.   I think they should make a trade at some point.  There's two teams that have an overload of quality SF prospects... Bucks and Orlando.  It'll be interesting to see if either team makes a trade in the next couple months.

[walker834]

I think I'm with you I'd rather middleton.  He seems like he would be a perfect fit here.  I like how he plays.  Parker to me seems like he is going to struggle with his shot for a while. He also seems to be a guy that is going to want to post up at SF and hasn't really developed that part of his game yet. He's basically relegated to a transition player at this point in his career. But he is really restricted in their offense right now.

I'm with you where I take the underdog.  A lot of players get overhyped and don't live up to it.  I still like Parker though.

[Who]

Three options that I am happy with.

(1) Bradley + Celtics 2016 1st rounder
(2) Olynyk + Celtics 2016 1st rounder
(3) I.Thomas + Celtics 2016 1st rounder

[chambers]

A few of us were pretty hot on Middleton last year while the debate was whether or not to throw the max at him before the cap spiked. The Bucks could always match but it was amazing how many people thought offering him 4x$15 million would be cap suicide-even when I explained that he'd essentially be making less % of the overall cap than Jeff Green was in 2010.
Just to note, Middleton has had major knee surgery. Pretty sure it was his ACL, but he's been an iron horse since.
But yeah, he's a great, versatile player.
Bucks don't really have any reason to move him though because they can ultimately have Middleton at the SG, Giannis at the SF and Jabari at the PF.

They'd want at least a 2017 or 18' Brooklyn pick and Dallas pick +young asset like RJ or Rozier so I can't see it happening unless they really decide to put Giannis at SG and Jabari at SF...which probably won't happen until Kidd is fired.

 

[walker834]

I think Kidd still thinks he is playing in Nj and it's his job to do everything and players are only allowed to dunk the ball.  He doesn't do a very good job utilizing his players skill sets.

that team plays zero defense and plays offense like Kidd is their pg except he's not on the floor.

[osterhagen]

Acquiring Middleton would be ideal, but i think the price is too big. Something like you said, 3 firsts, or a good player and a first. And Bucks are young team eyeing on making playoffs, not this year tho (they still have the chance).

So to get Middleton we would have to give someone like Bradley, Thomas or Smart with a first.

As Bucks are bad rebounding team, would they take Sullinger (also can play besides Monroe) and 1 first, maybe two for Middleton?

While Gallinari should be easier to get, Denver has no chance of getting in playoffs and have Chandler and Barton as SF for next year. Thtas why i think lots of posters are saying we should go for Gallo.