NBA Rumors: Lakers Want To Sign Khris Middleton

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in signing Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton in free agency next year.

It's no secret that ever since LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this summer, the team was on the hunt for a second star to complement him.

Attempts to get Kawhi Leonard and Paul George failed in the summer, while recent rumors suggest they will try to acquire Leonard again next year or the likes of either Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, or as of earlier this week, Bradley Beal.

The latest player on the shortlist seems to be Middleton as, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, both the Lakers and Clippers are believed to have an interest in the 27-year-old.

Middleton is in the fourth year of a five-year, $70 million contract and could become a free agent next summer if he declines his player option.

Since signing that deal with Milwaukee, he has developed into one of the best two-way wings in the league, as he currently averages 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists this season.

And it's not just the Los Angeles franchises that could be options for Middleton, who is said to be generating max contract buzz.

"There will be opportunities to explore — both the Lakers and Clippers, sources say, will have interest in Middleton, and he’ll have options with rebuilding teams such as New York, Dallas and Cleveland," Deveney wrote. "Either way, Middleton will get something around a five-year, $190 million deal from Milwaukee, or a four-year, $140 million contract to sign elsewhere."

Middleton is not on the same level as the likes of Leonard, Durant or Thompson, but he would still considerably improve the Lakers, who are gradually improving with a 10-7 record.

For one general manager, however, he is on par with Thompson.

“He is as good a two-way wing as Klay,” a general manager told Sporting News. “Nearly as good a shooter, as good a defender, a better playmaker."

"You can run things through him more than you can do with Klay. Khris would be as big a star as Klay if he were playing in Golden State, and he’s probably going to get similar money.”

It remains to be seen if the South Carolina native will leave the Bucks though. Milwaukee are currently second in the Eastern Conference with a 13-4 record and barring an implosion, are likely to finish as a high playoff seed.

MVP contender Giannis Antetokounmpo, notably 10 years younger than James, continues to impress and dominate games and of course, Middleton can make a lot more money by re-signing with the Bucks and continuing to play for a promising team.

While the Lakers will understandably go after the bigger names first, it would be a big missed opportunity if they did not inquire about Middleton as a potential free agent signing.