Forward Khris Middleton played in the Bucks‘ final game of the preseason last Friday and their regular season opener on Thursday, but he’ll be held out of Sunday’s game vs. Atlanta as the team monitors his workload and plays it safe with the three-time All-Star, per The Associated Press.
Sunday’s game is the first in a back-to-back set, as the Bucks are scheduled to host the Heat on Monday. Head coach Adrian Griffin indicated that Middleton, who underwent offseason knee surgery, will be available for Monday’s contest.
“This is just being smart and ramping him up gradually,” Griffin said on Saturday following the Bucks’ practice. “He participated in practice today and looked really good.”
Although he played on Thursday in the Bucks’ win over Philadelphia, Middleton doesn’t appear ready for a full workload yet — he logged just four minutes in the second half of that game and didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- The Bulls‘ inconsistent and disjointed 1-2 start to the season has only generated more questions about the fit and future of the team’s “big three,” writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “It’s our third year here together,” Zach LaVine said of the trio of himself, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic. “We know how this business is. We all love each other. DeMar is one of my best friends. We talk all the time. But we have to figure out how to make this thing work.”
- The Sixers and Danny Green have agreed to adjust the salary guarantee trigger dates on his contract, Hoops Rumors has learned. The veteran swingman earned a $200K partial guarantee by making it to the first game of the regular season and will see that partial guarantee increase if he remains under contract through November 10 (to $500K), Nov. 24 ($750K), Dec. 8 ($1MM), Dec. 22 ($1.25MM), and Jan. 5 ($1.5MM). He’ll lock in his full $3,196,448 salary if he’s not waived on or before Jan. 7.
- Pistons center Jalen Duren is off to an incredible start in his second NBA season, averaging 18.0 points, a league-leading 15.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.7 blocks in three games, including two wins. The big man, who doesn’t turn 20 until next month, is quickly blossoming into the sort of player who can help key the Pistons’ resurgence, says John Niyo of The Detroit News (subscription required)
- Heat wing Jimmy Butler battled a right knee issue last season and played in both games in just seven of the team’s 14 back-to-back sets. Although Miami held Butler out of the second end of its first back-to-back set this season, that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s how he’ll be managed in back-to-backs going forward, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. “No, we’re going to take it week by week,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Maybe having LaVine and DeRozan doesn’t work well together. Not a knock on either LaVine or DeRozan. Patrick Williams will never be able to show what he can do if he is the fourth or fifth option on offense. Maybe best to trade DeRozan and replace with a very athletic taller forward. Although the Bulls won the game versus Raptors, the Raptors looked much bigger and more athletic on their front line. Understand that talented athletic tall forwards don’t just grow on trees.
If this is what they’re going (to have) to do with Middleton all year, it doesn’t look good for the playoffs, or the fat contract they gave him.
He played 1 preseason game.
Played sparingly in game 1 of the regular season.
2 full days off, 1 of which he participated in practice, and they need to sit him for game 2?
Wild idea here, less practice might allow for at least a token appearance in actual games, that count.
Who wanted to trade Mitch. And draft Duren.
Yeeeeessss ……. same guy who wants
DeM DeR .
Knicks didn’t want to go younger. Thought they had enough. They knew they were getting Brunson. So had to move Kemba. And getting more draft capital. Was the move. Unfortunately they still haven’t acquired that star player. And Duren looks like a future star.
Duren is a bigger Bam, a true Center. Will turn 20 in November. Pistons made out big time.
could of had haliburton too, but well you know.
Williams should be the starting SF. They are stunting his growth. DeM DeR has to be moved. 34 yrs old on an expiring contract. There is no now with the Bulls. At best a first rd exit. You move DeM DeR now. And you can build for next five yrs. With Ball looking like he could be gone for two yrs, even forever. The time is now to move DeRozan ……
Quickley, Grimes, Fournier and (Knicks own) 2024 #1 pick …….
With the two #1 picks Bulls will have. They can trade for a PF. Or can move up the draft to take one. Personally I would trade for Bagley. He’s from Chicago. And is a good fit with Vucevic. And would come at a reasonable price. You will have two yrs to get him in order.
You are wellcome Buils organization !!
Weird that a Knicks fan is more concerned with the Bulls.
A trade makes me concerned. Get educated lol. It’s not science …..
Agree with everything except the bagley part. They need a defender next to vuc. But I would take that demar trade as a bulls fan
Bulls problem is Billy Donovan plays running downhill basketball,but FO gives him game stopping players like DeMar,Vooch,dreamer PWill.Give him players he wants or change coach.Otherwise it will be continuity of pain
Although PWill hasn’t produced consistently, it’s a bad idea to give up on PWill. It’s hard for PWill to show what he is capable of when being the fourth or fifth option on offense. Also, because the Bulls play a small lineup, PWill is sometimes matched up against taller players.
Donovan had loads of talent in OKC. He was never the difference. I’m not a fan at all.
dumping pwill will turn him into laurie, wendell, elton, artest, miller, and so and so. the list goes on.
Donovan is the epitome of a good college coach who is useless at the NBA level…
The game is just too different…
In college you can mold the player to the coaches plans far easier… And the game played is open to more room for mistakes from coaches…
DeM DeR >>>>> to Knickerbockers
Hey Al, do you have any trade ideas?