The Washington Wizards lost to the Charlotte Hornets 110-103 on Monday night, and the bench was a problem. Anthony Davis played like a superstar to keep them in the game as Khris Middleton was a team-worst minus-17 in 13 minutes. The veteran failed to score and produced just one rebound and one turnover. He has struggled to begin this season, and head coach Brian Keefe knows what he was to do.
Middleton was a DNP-CD in the win over the Bulls. Coach Keefe downplayed the decision to play Will Riley over the 35-year-old. It was the second night of a back-to-back. Middleton was back on the floor and got more run than Riley against the Hornets. The head coach likes the team’s depth. If that is true, it is time to bench Middleton.
The 6’7 wing has been declining for over a half decade. He was a three-time All-Star and the second-leading scorer on a championship squad during his prime. Middleton would net 20 points in his sleep, but not anymore. He is struggling to get a bucket and isn’t impacting winning.
Wizards have been disastrous with Khris Middleton on the floor
It wasn’t just his minus-17 against the Hornets. Middleton has made two of six shots in 41 minutes on the floor this season. He has eight points, five rebounds, two steals, and three turnovers. The veteran hasn’t hit a 3-pointer. The Wizards desperately need spacing, but Middleton looks washed.
Washington has a negative-23.8 net rating with Middleton on the floor. Their 131.8 defensive rating is over 10 points per 100 possessions worse than Washington’s league-worst mark from last season. They have a 108.0 offensive rating, which would also rank dead last a year ago.
Coach Keefe is still trying to figure out what groups work, but Middleton simply doesn’t. He is competing hard and trying to make the right plays. He just doesn’t have the legs anymore. The 35-year-old is declining. Sadly, he looks to have finally completely fallen off, and Washington cannot afford to wait to see if he improves.
Wizards want to contend now
The Wizards are eager to snap their playoff drought. They haven’t qualified for the playoffs since 2021 and haven’t won a playoff series since 2017. Washington tanked to get AJ Dybantsa, but those days are done. The goal is to get back to the playoffs.
Middleton isn’t helping them win. He is a fantastic veteran, mentor, and leader in the locker room. The 35-year-old won a championship and can help the young Wizards grow. That doesn’t mean he should be in the nightly rotation.
An ankle sprain has forced Dybantsa to miss the first four games of his NBA career. When he returns, Middleton should be even further down the depth chart. Washington will stagger Davis, Young, and Dybantsa. Middleton doesn’t provide the shooting, scoring, or defense necessary to play next to any one of the team’s stars.
The Eastern Conference is loaded with talent, so every game counts. If Washington wants to make the playoffs, they need to remove Middleton from the rotation and prioritize other players. The Wizards have multiple players with room to grow. That could help more than the veteran, who is only going downhill from here.
Wizards should develop the young talent over playing Khris Middleton
Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, and Will Riley should be getting Middleton’s minutes. Justin Champagnie had been fantastic to start the year before suffering a foot injury against Charlotte. Coach Keefe has to trust his bench, and growing the young talent now will pay dividends later.
The Wizards must stagger their stars, so AD or Young is on the floor at all times. They need a backup ball-handler, but will have to make things work with Kyshawn George filling that role until closer to the trade deadline. Beyond that, coach Keefe should be looking for lineups where the young players thrive.
Johnson should play with Young, so the star guard can feed the young shooter. Riley has the potential to become a plus shooter. He would also benefit from playing with Young.
Carrington is more of a floor spacer, so he can be on the floor in the AD minutes. Coach Keefe may need to consider ditching the double big man looks in these minutes, but that is a different conversation.
Khris Middleton is no longer an every-night role player in the NBA. Father Time is undefeated. Middleton has been a negative in all three appearances so far. The Washington Wizards can’t keep playing him. It is time to let the youngsters get the minutes off the bench. Keep Middleton around as a veteran mentor, but not as a nightly contributor. Sadly, those days have passed.
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