Khris Middleton, recently traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Washington Wizards, expressed his intention to contribute on the court and help the team win, not just serve as a mentor.
Khris Middleton has made it clear that he's not just in Washington Wizards to mentor the younger players but to actively contribute to the team's success on the court.
Washington Wizards
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Portland Trail BlazersThe 33-year-old veteran, who was traded to the Wizards from the Milwaukee Bucks ahead of the trade deadline, shared his thoughts after Wednesday night's practice.
Despite being past his prime, Middleton is eager to continue competing and helping the team win games.
"I’m here to be a basketball player. I’m here to win games, here to help win games however I can," Middleton explained. "I am going to be here as a mentor and whatnot, but I want Wizards fans to know that I’m not here just to be a mentor. I’m here to be a basketball player and compete out there and help win games."
Middleton was part of a February 5 trade that saw him move from the Bucks to the Wizards in exchange for Kyle Kuzma.
While this trade fits into the Wizards’ larger rebuilding plans, Middleton's presence adds a seasoned leader to the roster.
The former NBA champion is a 6-foot-7 forward who has averaged 12.6 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds this season, though injuries have kept him sidelined for a significant portion of the year.
Middleton's debut with the Wizards will be against his former team, the Bucks, on Friday night. His return to the lineup is expected to give a boost to a Wizards team that has shown steady improvement, especially in February, with a 3-4 record despite missing key players.
Middleton, along with fellow veterans like Marcus Smart, will help guide the team as they continue their rebuild, with the balance between developing young talent and keeping morale high being crucial moving forward.
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