With the playoff race intensifying in both conferences, the rumor mill is starting to churn faster with regard to the buyout market. One name that has made rounds in the newsstands and social media as of late is Khris Middleton, who is rumored to be contemplating a buyout scenario with the Mavericks. Having said that, the Philadelphia 76ers will probably sit this one out for one obvious reason –– they currently have a full deck.
As of writing, the 76ers have 15 players on standard NBA deals and three others on two-way contracts. None of their players on regular deals are expected to be easy cuts for the team at this point in the season, so there is really no more room for the front office to add another player from the buyout market unless they make a major subtraction.
Middleton, who won a championship with Milwaukee in 2021, is still a valuable role player. The question with him for the last few years has been his health, as he has had a lot of struggles staying on the floor due to nagging injuries. It also does not help that he is already 34 years old, so he is most certainly a short-term rental for any prospective buyer.
The 76ers do not have room to go after Khris Middleton in the buyout market
The 76ers still need bench scoring and three-point shooting, which are precisely the two things Middleton can bring to the table to Philly in a hypothetical partnership. Philly has the third-lowest scoring second unit in the NBA, while also being in the bottom half of the league in nearly all three-point shooting metrics.
Middleton, who is also known for his reliable hands during crunch time, could very well end up being a major factor for a playoff team. After all, he is a three-time All-Star with ample playoff and championship experience. Those players don't come by often.
However, the 76ers simply do not have the necessary ammo to absorb him should he opt to test the waters in the buyout market, although Daryl Morey can stay true to his name-hunting proclivities and engineer a way for the team to be in the running for his services.
The betting afficionados probably should not count on it happening, though. The 76ers already have enough players who are prone to injuries, and adding someone who is of the same ilk is simply counterproductive at this point in the season.