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Cleveland Cavaliers: Why Khris Middleton is worth a hefty contract in 2019

By Dan Gilinsky

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 07: Ante Zizic #41 and Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Finals Legacy Project – NBA Cares on June 07, 2018 at the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 07: Ante Zizic #41 and Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Finals Legacy Project – NBA Cares on June 07, 2018 at the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Defensive versatility helping a young group

Middleton routinely matches up with very good NBA wings. In a league that has shifted towards wings being the marquee playmaking position (a la LeBron, Butler and so on), having a legitimate second scoring option guard difficult matchups on the perimeter is impressive. Middleton could be a leader by example taking on that two-way responsibility, and with his ability to defend well 1-3, he’d be a viable defender in switchouts alongside Osman and Nance.

With solid functional quickness, 6-foot-11 length, and good instincts when stunting in strong side passing lanes, he could be a plus defender individually and in a team sense with young grinders like Sexton and Osman around him.

Although his career defensive box plus-minus leaves much to be desired (at -1.0 per Basketball Reference), when he’s dialed in fully, he has the potential to be an impact defender against opposing primary ball-handlers and should provide quality technique when closing out to perimeter shooters.

For his career, Middleton has averaged 1.4 steals per game, and with a rebounder and outlet passer like Love on the floor with him, he could find a higher number of easy transition leak-out scoring opportunities after contesting perimeter shots.

Lastly, with Middleton going to be 28 at the beginning of the 2019-20 season, he’d fit Cleveland’s timeline to contend with Love. It was reported in July by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst that Love signed a four-year, $120 million extension. That would tie him to the Cavs for four more years (not including next season). Middleton wouldn’t get that, but he’d still get a pretty pay day.