Wizards Fans Should Start Preparing for More Khris Middleton than they Bargained For

The oldest member of the Washington Wizards is expected to play a serious role on the rotation to come.

Jan 17, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (22) dribbles the ball up court in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Washington Wizards love themselves some Khris Middleton.

Look wherever you want, on and off the court, for proof. He started all 48 outings he participated in over two fragmented tours with the last pair of Wizards rosters, and the franchise liked him so much that they elected to bring him back to town in a sign-and-trade mere months after dealing him to the Dallas Mavericks for Anthony Davis. Except now, he's finally shed the onerous contract that once defined his trade value, with a more reasonable bargain enabling Washington's coaches to use the now-flexible veteran however they see fit.

Brian Keefe isn't sure what Khris Middleton's role will be, but he does expect him to play: "He was one of our better players and he's still going to be... we're going to rely on him in those situations and put him in those situations to help our team... trust me, Khris Middleton…

— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) September 28, 2026

To a lot of fans, Wizards head coach Brian Keefe's claim that "trust me, Khris Middleton is going to be a big part of what we do this year" means that he'll offer much more than simple veteran expertise from the bench's fringe with AJ Dybantsa and Kyshawn George likely elevating into the starting wing spots he once enjoyed.

For as many minute-worthy prospects line the rotation to come, there's a good chance that Middleton will be leaned upon as a calming scoring presence more than outsiders may have assumed when he opted to return to D.C.

What Does Middleton Have to Offer?

His Wizards shooting splits of 42.7% from the field and 31.5% from 3-point range will impress few viewers that he's still the same ol' reliable late-game option that he was with the Milwaukee Bucks, but that hasn't stopped Washington from regularly deploying the wing over numerous key fourth quarters amidst his journeying into his mid-30s.

At the very least, he knows exactly where to go in hunting for his own buckets, pulling up from midrange territory with ease if an easy swing pass or entry feed isn't open. Keefe surely won't say no to an extra ball-handler to ease the burdens of his other veterans and the still-developing pieces padding his lineups; if he's a rotational quantity, though, the question now turns to which peer he's pushing out of the way among fellow positional options who filled in for his post-trade absence last spring.

Nov 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (22) handles the ball against Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With recent lottery talents such as Bilal Coulibaly and Tre Johnson likely to continue producing as younger, lengthier guards angling to continue adding to their respective games, the first name that most fans started immediately worrying about regarding a potential minutes crunch was Justin Champagnie. After all, he's been the contributor who's most-frequently had to deal with the rotation's short straw.

Despite repeatedly-hassling opponents as a voracious defender and rebounder, the forward's streaky shot and lack of that same draft-based upside has held Champagnie back from immediately making his influence felt over Wizards seasons past. Even though he'd go on to crack 69 appearances over the 2025-26 campaign, he effectively sat out the short string of October outings while Keefe organized his ducks in a row.

Apr 1, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie (9) shoots the ball as Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) defends in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Keefe ensured that Champagnie, like Middleton, will play a distinct role in the Wizards' equation to come, though he seems intent on his hustler remaining ready for whenever he's called to deliver his usual impact should no clear hierarchical role emerge by the regular season's tip-off.

"I think depth matters, things are gonna happen in the NBA...you want guys competing for spots. Opportunities are gonna arise, you don't know when all that stuff's gonna happen. That's part of the deal with the NBA," he told On SI. "I know Justin Champagnie's gonna have a big impact. Any time he's on the court, I have huge trust in him. He does really valuable things to any lineup he plays with. He's done that since he's got here. He will continue to do that."

I asked Wizards HC Brian Keefe about his plans to keep Justin Champagnie involved in the wing rotation, and his message was for everyone to stay ready.

“Depth matters, things are gonna happen…opportunities are gonna arise…I know Justin Champagnie is gonna have a big impact.” pic.twitter.com/g3h0zOFZHW

— All Wizards Talk (@AllWizardsTalk) September 29, 2026

The aforementioned names, along with another prospect in Will Riley, will likely spend the season's early goings vying for limited opportunities, granting Washington's bolstered coaching staff with the luxury of numerous contributors of varying experience levels to choose between. And as enticing as some of the fan base's deep cuts remain as breakout candidates, the masses should start preparing for the sage Middleton to regularly-emerge as a well-versed problem-solver off of the Wizards' bench to start the fall.

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