Wizards weigh trade flexibility as Middleton emerges as likely buyout option
wizards-middleton-trade-buyout-candidate
The Washington Wizards are expected to leverage their salary-cap space rather than pursue another buy-low swing at the upcoming trade deadline, league sources told The Athletic’s Josh Robbins.
Sitting roughly $30 million beneath the luxury-tax line, Washington is viewed by rival executives as a logical destination for teams looking to offload multiyear contracts—provided those deals are sweetened with draft picks or young players.
Names surfacing in league conversations include Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley, whose deal counts $32.5 million against this season’s cap with three additional years, and Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, owed $32 million with two years left plus a player option. According to Robbins, neither Toronto nor Portland is eager to attach draft assets simply to shed salary.
The same financial dynamic hovers over Wizards forward Khris Middleton. The veteran’s $33 million expiring contract has fueled speculation, but most league insiders believe the most probable outcome is that he remains in Washington past the deadline before becoming a buyout candidate later in the season.
Such a move would align with the organization’s current approach: collect future assets, protect financial flexibility and wait while other clubs feel pressure to make immediate upgrades.
Source: Hoops Wire
