Los Angeles Lakers: Latest rumors on Anthony Davis trade, Khris Middleton and more

Khris Middleton a 2019 free agency target for Lakers

Right now, the focus when it comes to the Lakers’ 2019 free agency plans is on players like Durant, Leonard and Thompson. Chances are you have yet to hear much about Magic being interested in convincing Khris Middleton to sign on the dotted line.

Well, it just so happens that isn’t as farfetched of an idea as it may seem. According to Sportingnews.com’s Sean Deveney, the Lakers are keeping tabs on the Milwaukee Bucks’ underrated wing.

"Around the league, speculation has it that Middleton could command a max salary… There will be opportunities to explore — both the Lakers and Clippers, sources say, will have interest in Middleton, and he’ll have options with rebuilding teams such as New York, Dallas and Cleveland. Either way, Middleton will get something around a five-year, $190 million deal from Milwaukee, or a four-year, $140 million contract to sign elsewhere."

As Deveney points out, Middleton has quietly emerged as one of the NBA’s best two-way guards. During an early-season explosion from the Bucks, he’s averaging 19.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while also connecting on 42.3 percent of his shots from downtown.

His true shooting percentage of 61.8 is by far a career high, and so is his 20 PER.

While spending big bucks on Middleton may seem like an odd concept, it’s starting to look like a logical option considering the impact he’s having in Milwaukee.

If the Lakers miss on some of the other big names headed for the open market come July, the former second-round pick out of Texas A&M could find himself in Johnson’s crosshairs.

Magic knows he needs to surround LeBron with scorers. Signing Middleton could be the perfect opportunity to do exactly that, especially if he can maintain this current level of production.