On Thursday, the Washington Wizards regular season schedule was revealed alongside the rest of the NBA.
The Wizards' schedule has plenty of dates to circle for both fans of Washington or the NBA in general, but the team's schedule ahead has revealed more than just the team's they'll be playing on which dates.
Washington was slated with 16 back-to-backs throughout the coming season and for a relatively young team in the midst of a rebuild, the Wizards shouldn't have to worry much about back-to-backs.
Atleast the young players on the roster shouldn't have much need to worry,
On the other hand though, veterans like CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton will be two players that could raise concerns in terms of their durability for the upcoming season ahead.
That is, if they're still on the roster of course.
However, Middleton's durability understandably raises a bit more of a concern for the Wizards than the likes of McCollum, who for the most part has remained healthy over the last few years.
Middleton can't seem to say the same,
The veteran forward totaled only 37 games last season between his stints with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Wizards, which is a large reason why Milwaukee opted to move on from the 34-year-old.
Not to say that the Wizards will be in the mix in the Eastern Conference next season, but if they do plan to at least compete like Cam Whitmore hopes they can, Washington will need all hands on deck.
Obviously, Washington would likely be thrilled to find a trade suitor desperate enough to take on Middleton's expiring contract, but until then, the Wizards will be forced to roll the forward out when healthy.
But with 16 back-to-backs throughout the regular season, it poses the question of how much will Middleton be healthy?
If the Wizards are able to get a trade partner for Middleton, expect them to jump at the opportunity of moving on from the veternan.
Until then, Washington will be reminded nearly every night that they have a Khris Middleton problem and the only way for them to solve it is to either, buy him out, trade him elsewhere or simply let his contract expire at the end of the season, which considering the financial flexibility it may offer could be a realistic top option.
Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see if Middleton plays in back-to-backs or if the Wizards take the precatious approach of resting the Texas A&M product on the second night of B2Bs or simply playing matchups.