For years, the Milwaukee Bucks have used the NBA Trade Deadline as a pathway to make a move for a role player they believe could help this team.
This season, they may face a much harder question, and that's whether or not they should move on from one of their franchise's cornerstones before the deadline passes. It's been a tough season for Khris Middleton, who missed time due to duel ankle surgeries and has now been moved to a role off the bench due to ankle tendinitis.
More than ever before, it feels like the Milwaukee Bucks will ponder Middleton's future with the team, and it all starts due to his health. Do they believe he can get back to his All-Star form, or will the recent ankle issues linger? It's a tightrope for Milwaukee's front office to walk, given the team's title hopes and the little margin for error this veteran group has.
Would the Milwaukee Bucks consider moving Khris Middleton?
In recent memory, moving Khris Middleton hasn't been off the table entirely. Before they traded for Damian Lillard, the Bucks were reportedly entertaining the idea of making a move for Bradley Beal, where they would have had to lose Middleton. Milwaukee's recent inclusion in the Jimmy Butler trade sweepstakes indicates that they'd entertain moving him in a deal for South Beach's disgruntled star.
If a star is within the Bucks' grasp, it feels like they'd be willing to move on from Middleton. However, it is unclear where they stand beyond that. Given that there has been little chatter about his availability via trade, one would think they believe they can win with him despite the injury woes, but this recent move to the bench is still fresh, and perhaps that could give them something to think about.
The Milwaukee Bucks could very well stick to their recent formula and make a move for a role player who can patch a roster flaw. Given their recent play, that might not be the worst idea. However, it all depends on how they feel about Khris Middleton and whether they can rely on him after a barrage of injuries over the past several NBA seasons.
Ultimately, it feels like the Bucks are gambling either way. If they keep him, they are banking on their star forward getting healthy and putting up his usual brand of strong numbers. If they move him, they are hoping to find another impact piece or two that can help this team as much as Middleton can in the biggest moments, which simply might not be out there.
For the time being, Middleton still has a few weeks to showcase his value and get back into a groove, which could silence this trade talk for good.
It will be fascinating to see what this roster looks like when the deadline horn sounds on February 6.
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