The inability to create for teammates was the biggest knock on Khris Middleton coming into this season.
He looked destined to be a solid “three and D” shooting guard who lurks behind the 3-point line on offense and locks down the opposition’s best scorer on defense. But over the last month-plus, Middleton has evolved his game to the point it’s hard to remember when he was just “three and D”.
This season, Middleton is averaging 17.9 points on 44.4 percent from the field, 2.0 3-pointers on 42.4 percent, 4.0 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 36.0 minutes. Since mid-December, he’s averaging 23.0 points on 50.2 percent, 2.1 3-pointers on 41.7 percent, 5.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 37.6 minutes. Prior to this season, Middleton hadn’t averaged more than 2.3 assists in a season and tallied five-plus assists in just seven games during his three-year career. Now he’s racking them up at a great rate with five-plus assists in 13 games so far this season, including nine since December 20. Since that date, Middleton joins LeBron James as the only players averaging more than 23 points and five assists while shooting 50 percent or better from the field. Pretty okay company!
The 24-year-old guard leads the Bucks in usage rate at 25.2 percent since mid-December after Greg Monroe led to begin the season. If Middleton can keep his assists high, he should finish 2015-16 as one of the top 20 fantasy players in the NBA. That’s great value for a player drafted on average with the 72nd pick in Yahoo! fantasy.
Now the only question is can he keep it up?
Khris Middleton Fantasy Profile
Stat Line Of The Week
DeMarcus Cousins
January 25 vs. Hornets – 56 points (21-30 FG, 1-3 3P, 13-16 FT), 12 rebounds, 4 assists, two blocks and one steal in 46 minutes
Weekend Pickups
Derrick Williams, Knicks (13 percent owned)
The veteran forward keeps finding his way onto the floor for New York. Over his last four games, Williams is averaging 16.3 points on 41.5 percent shooting, 1.0 3-pointers, 9.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 31.9 minutes. Carmelo Anthony (knee) could miss more time this weekend, which would open the door even wider for Williams. He’s worth a look if you need points and rebounds this weekend but aren’t worried about his low field goal percentage. The Knicks play the Suns on Friday and the Warriors on Sunday.
Justise Winslow, Heat (11 percent owned)
The versatile rookie has carved out a role in Miami. Over his last four games, Winslow is averaging 9.8 points on 59.3 percent shooting, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 37.0 minutes. He’s worth a look if you want a little bit of everything this weekend and into the future as his role is unlikely to diminish. The Heat matchup with the Bucks on Friday and the Hawks on Sunday.
Spencer Hawes, Hornets (11 percent owned)
The veteran big man has seen a major uptick in minutes since Cody Zeller (shoulder) went down with injury. Over his last three games, Hawes is averaging 12.0 points on 48.4 percent shooting, 1.7 3-pointers, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 32.3 minutes. He’s worth a look if you need the rare combination of rebounds and 3-pointers. The Hornets matchup with the Lakers on Sunday.
—
Be sure to follow @NBAFantasy and @HartzellNBA on Twitter for analysis, tips and advice throughout the 2015-16 NBA season!
