Could Khris Middleton Join the Wizards as a Veteran Mentor?

Khris Middleton has touched down in Washington after a trade that sent Kyle Kuzma packing to Milwaukee. Talk about a fresh start! Unlike Kuzma, the 2021 NBA champion is set to bring his wealth of experience to a young Wizards squad that desperately needs it. The question is, will the Wizards keep this veteran around, despite his hefty paycheck?

Numbers That Speak Volumes

33, 32, 34.

The first number represents Middleton’s age, the second is his salary this season, and the third is both his projected salary for next season and the estimated total wins for the Wizards over the next two years. Middleton arrives from the winning culture of the Milwaukee Bucks, where he was a key player in their 2021 championship run. Since the trade went down, there’s been a buzz about whether KM and his substantial contract might be on the move again, aimed at giving Washington some much-needed financial flexibility.

Middleton as a Mentor

However, according to Josh Robbins from The Athletic, Middleton might just stick around to mentor the next wave of Wizards talent, including young stars like Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr. This could be a game-changer for the likes of Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, AJ Johnson, and Tristan Vukcevic, who have faced mixed guidance from former players Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole—not exactly the most open oysters in the park, if you catch my drift. A solid plan, especially given the Wizards’ youth-heavy roster.

Wizards Players Under 22 Years Old:

• Bilal Coulibaly (20)
• Alex Sarr (19)
• Bub Carrington (19)
• Kyshawn George (21)
• AJ Johnson (20)
• Tristan Vukcevic (21)
• Sidy Cissoko (20)

— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) February 5, 2025

Washington Fans, What Do You Think?

With Khris Middleton possibly stepping into a ‘big brother’ role, there’s no denying that not many players in the NBA can fill the shoes he is looking to wear. So, fans of the Washington Wizards… are you on board with this move?