Where Could Khris Middleton Land If He Hits Open Market?
Some NBA playoff teams will likely be interested in signing Middleton if he is bought out by Sunday. Middleton ranks in the top 100 in nearly every 3-point category and has been even more clutch in the playoffs. Middleton ranks 36th in career playoff three-pointers (196), 14th in playoff three-pointers per game (2.5), and 89th in three-point playoff percentage (89th). Additionally, he is an excellent passer and free-throw shooter, ranking 19th in career free-throw percentage (87.7%).
Ten of the NBA’s top 20 teams could realistically sign Middleton if he hits the open market. Orlando, Boston, Toronto, Denver, Houston, and Golden State are playoff teams with an open roster spot. San Antonio, Detroit, Charlotte, and Phoenix don’t have an open roster spot, but could create one easily. Of those four teams, the Spurs would have the easiest schedule since Mason Plumlee is on a 10-day deal that ends on Saturday.
Of those 10 teams, the Clippers are the only team that doesn’t make much sense for Middleton. Orlando, Boston, Toronto, Denver, Houston, San Antonio, Detroit, Phoenix, and Golden State make the most sense.
“I have to think there are a handful of contenders, playoff-bound teams, and I would have to think the Pistons are among them, wondering if there’s any chance they could convince Khris Middleton to pursue a buyout,” Stein said yesterday.
Orlando Magic
Orlando definitely needs a wing like Middleton and definitely some shooting. The Magic rank in the bottom third of the league in three-pointers, three-point attempts, and three-point percentage. Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs lead the Magic with two treys a game. Bane and Tristan da Silva are the only two regulars shooting at least 37% from deep.
The Magic also needs to add depth on the wings. The Magic have a top-10ish starting unit, but their bench ranks in the bottom third of the league. The Magic’s bench is just 27th in the league in scoring (31.7) and 28th in three-pointers per game (3.2), with splits of 44.7/32.6/73.9.
Orlando is 31-26 on the season, winning two straight and six of 10. The Magic are $552, 000 under the luxury tax.
Boston Celtics
Boston has been a huge surprise this season, sitting in second place in the East at 38-19, having won 14 of 18. The Celtics rank second in offensive rating and seventh in defensive ranking, but they are not a great shooting team. However, the C’s are a heavy three-point shooting team, averaging 15.4 threes at 36.2%, ranking second and 10th in the league. They do have a lot of three-point shooters and are fairly deep, especially if Jayson Tatum does return to action this year.
Boston does have two players on 10-day deals — Dalano Banton and John Tonje. Banton and Tonje each have totaled four minutes in one appearance. So, neither player is guaranteed to remain with the team through the season. The Celtics are $637. 169 below the luxury tax.
Toronto Raptors
Like the Magic, the Raptors rank in the bottom third in three-point shooting across the board. While Immanuel Quickley is the only Raptor to knock down at least two threes a game, they do have four regulars making at least one triple a game and shooting 36% or better.
Toronto is fifth in the East at 34-24. The Raptors, who are not in jeopardy of entering the NBA’s tax, could use adding some depth and scoring punch off the bench.
