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Although this season has been a disaster, there is a still a lot for the Milwaukee Bucks’ fans to like, especially second-year small forward Khris Middleton.
In today’s edition of “All Wired Up”, I’ll delve into the fantasy strengths of potential waiver wire gold like Middleton and the Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Miller.
» Khris Middleton, SF, Milwaukee Bucks (21.4 percent owned on ESPN.com)
25 points (10-17 FG, 2-2 FT), 3 three-pointers, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers vs Pelicans.
Khris Middleton was considered largely a throw-in when the Milwaukee Bucks traded Brandon Jennings to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Brandon Knight. But since suiting up for the woebegone franchise, he’s shown that he definitely has a future in the NBA and deserves a spot on your fantasy squad.
I’ve been on the Middleton band-wagon for a good chunk of this season, and since the buy-out of veteran Caron Butler, more minutes have opened up for him on the wing. This is only a good thing for fantasy owners, as Middleton has been extremely impressive when coach Larry Drew has given him the court time commensurate to his performance.
Middleton has started the last 18 games at small forward, and currently sits at number 91 on Basketball Monster.com’ rankings.
But over the last two weeks, he’s been even better. His ranks 65th and is averaging 15.9 points, 2.0 three-pointers, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals, shooting 54.3 percent from the field and 81.8 percent from the foul line. From looking at those numbers, we can see that the biggest contribution Middleton will give you is in steals, points and three-pointers, while also helping both of your percentages.
For a guy who was an unknown second-round draft pick a season ago, Middleton has pushed himself into the minds of many NBA fans and you should be pushing to the front of the line to grab him for your fantasy team.
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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
» Mike Miller, SF, Memphis Grizzlies (0.9 percent owned)
14 points (5-7 FG, 0-0 FT), 4 three-pointers, 5 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover vs Bulls.
When we saw footage of Mike Miller holding the Larry O’Brien trophy at the conclusion of the 2013 NBA Finals, I was convinced that would be the last time I saw Miller in an NBA jersey.
But the beat-up veteran proved me wrong, signing a free agent contract with the Memphis Grizzlies in the off-season. The move for the Grizzlies made complete sense — they lacked outside shooting and that is Miller’s speciality. I just presumed his back and health in general would prevent him from going around again.
He’s not setting the world on fire by any stretch of the imagination in Memphis, but what he is doing is providing a very solid contribution of the bench. In the last two weeks, Miller has averaged 8.6 points and 1.9 three-pointers, shooting 57.9 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the line.
He’s not someone you want to own long-term in any 10 or 12 team leagues — but he could be of use as a spot start for three-pointers. In a league of 14 teams of more, Miller becomes a player that is a must-own fantasy commodity.
Over his last five games, Miller has alternated good with bad performances. On the good nights (three games), he has hit a combined 10 three-pointers and 43 points, whereas when he was bad, he was awful. He went scoreless in the other two games, and unfortunately that is just what’s going to happen to guys you own in deep leagues.
While the Grizzlies are making their push for the playoffs, I expect Miller to keep getting a decent amount of run of the bench and should be able to contribute in deeper fantasy leagues.