Miami Heat: 3 potential small forward trade targets
By Simon Smith
2. Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
Khris Middelton’s value can initially be judged simply by looking at the Milwaukee Bucks’ performance before and after his season debut last year. After suffering a serious hamstring injury in the lead-up to the regular season, Middelton was sidelined for the first 50 games, during which time the Bucks posted a 22-28 record. In the 29 games he played in upon returning, the Bucks went 19-10.
Furthermore, his actual on-court production was remarkable. Over the 29 games he played, the Bucks were 13.0 points per 100 possessions better off with Middleton on the floor. A terrific presence on both ends of the floor, Middleton posted 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 30.7 minutes per game. This included the impressive shooting splits of .450/.430/.880.
A career 40.4 percent shooter from 3-point range, the former second round draft selection of the Detroit Pistons has improved leaps and bounds in his five years in the league. Entering this season, with a full summer of work behind him, Middleton has every chance to match his career-high numbers of 2015-16, when he averaged 18.2 points in 36.1 minutes per game.
At 6’8″ with a 6’11” wingspan, Middleton has all the physical attributes to be an amazing contributor for the Heat on both ends of the floor. The following highlights a 25-point, nine-rebound performance last season against the Detroit Pistons, displaying the full array of offensive skills Middleton has at his disposal.
With Middleton recently turning just 26, providing players to the Bucks for the short and long-term would be necessary sacrifices by the Heat in order to accomplish a deal. In this exchange, Milwaukee would get Tyler Johnson, Justise Winslow and Wayne Ellington.
While the Heat are clearly giving up significant depth with this deal, they are also avoiding the contract of Tyler Johnson, as detailed earlier. And with Justise Winslow, this provides the Bucks with the versatile perimeter defender they would be losing with the departure of Middleton.
While Middleton is far from being “The Whale” team president Pat Riley has been chasing since the breakup of the Big Three, he nonetheless would represent an essential piece in the Heat rising up the standings.