Update:
According to Gery Woelfl of the Racine Journal Times, the Bucks and Celtics are still discussing a trade centered around Khris Middleton.
One scenario also includes center Greg Monroe. Woelfl reports that the teams are considering a draft including Middleton and Monroe for two first round picks and a player. The Celtics have the 3rd, 16th, and 23rd picks in the first round of the draft.
Original Post Follows:
According to ProBasketballDraft.com, the Boston Celtics have discussed a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks for sharpshooting swingman Khris Middleton:
A bit of #NBADraft chatter: Boston has discussed 3 and a contract for Khris Middleton. Danny Ainge wants to add a scorer. #Celtics
— Probasketballdraft (@Probballdraft) June 21, 2016
Middleton is one of the better 3-&-D guys in the league. He stands at 6’8″, with a wingspan of just under 6’11”. So, he’s huge for his position. He played mostly shooting guard for the Bucks, but could easily slide to the three, or even the four in a small-ball lineup.
At his reasonable contract, Milwaukee probably wouldn’t be smart to deal him. However, if there’s a player that they strongly desire at the no. 3 spot (Kris Dunn, perhaps?), then perhaps doing what it takes to get that draft pick makes sense.
Middleton would be a nice fit in Boston; the Celtics would get another superb two-way player. They could use him in a small-ball lineup consisting of either Isaiah Thomas or Marcus Smart at the 1, Avery Bradley at the 2, Middleton at the 3, Jae Crowder at the 4, and probably Amir Johnson, Kelly Olynyk, or Jared Sullinger at the 5. Middleton isn’t quite the name that Jimmy Butler is, but he’s an excellent player, and will come at a cheaper price than Butler would.
Bucks GM John Hammond spoke on the trade rumors:
Bucks GM John Hammond on rumors about Celtics targeting Khris Middleton: "This speaks highly of players on our roster …
— cfgardner (@cf_gardner) June 21, 2016
