Khris Middleton (Forward) - Waiver Wire Analysis

Welcome back to relevance, Khris Middleton.  In the second half of December, with almost the entire Bucks frontcourt injured, Middleton enjoyed a stretch where he was red hot and averaging 40 minutes a game.  He put up top 40 fantasy stats in the process.  Now he’s back, playing much better again and averaging 30 minutes a game over the last two weeks.  And I’m saying he’s a huge pickup, especially when considering the forgotten little sister of nine-category leagues, turnovers.

Middleton provides a very nice “bang” for his turnover “buck.”  Over the course of the season, Middleton has averaged only 1.7 turnovers per 36 minutes, an amount more typical of someone who doesn’t see a lot of volume elsewhere.  However, as he’s avoided the turnovers, he’s put up respectable per-36-minute numbers elsewhere: a .443 FG% on 9.6 FGA (somewhat below-average impact), .818 FT% on 1.6 FTA (slightly above-average impact), 1.6 treys, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.4 blocks, 13.8 points.

It is players like Middleton who quietly allow you to sneak a point or two ahead of other active managers in your roto league’s turnover category without losing ground in other counting categories.  As long as he’s getting enough minutes in the Bucks rotation to keep up his counting stats, he’s a great player to own.