Suns Are +300 Favorites to Land Khris Middleton—Bold Move Could Add Veteran Sharpshooting, But Insiders Say It’s Unlikely
The Phoenix Suns have emerged as the betting favorites to acquire three-time All-Star Khris Middleton, according to recent odds. However, respected local insiders have cast significant doubt on the validity of those rumors, pointing to roster fit and monetary strategies that suggest Middleton may not be part of their plans after all.
Below is a detailed 1,500‑word breakdown of the situation, covering the betting landscape, Middleton’s current status and performance, how he might fit with Phoenix, potential trade or buyout scenarios, and why the “Suns-to-Middleton” narrative may be more hype than substance.
According to Bovada, the Phoenix Suns are the +300 favorites to be Khris Middleton’s next team, followed by the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers, both at +600. Other teams, like the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, and Clippers, trail behind.
However, Arizona Sports insider John Gambadoro quickly shut down the speculation, stating bluntly, “No I do not expect the Suns to consider adding Khris Middleton” . This sharp contradiction between oddsmakers and local expertise highlights the confusion surrounding Middleton’s future.
Middleton is currently with the Washington Wizards, having been traded from Milwaukee during the 2024–25 season as part of a multi-team deal that landed Kyle Kuzma in Milwaukee. On June 23, 2025, he exercised his player option for the 2025–26 season, locking in a salary of about $33.3 million.
While Middleton remains a veteran scorer with clutch experience, injuries have significantly impacted his availability—he’s played just 125 regular-season games since fall 2022. Still, he remained efficient: averaging 14.1 PPG, 4.8 APG, and 4.3 RPG, with strong shooting splits. His playoff performances further underline his value when healthy.
There are a few reasons Middleton’s name popped up:
- Expiring Deal Value
The Wizards may view Middleton mostly as a high-salary expiring asset, useful for financial maneuvering and mentorship before a rebuild. - Veteran Presence
Phoenix is undergoing a youth movement post‑Kevin Durant, and a seasoned figure like Middleton could offer both on‑court spacing and leadership. - Roster Fit Assumptions
Suns veterans and fans alike may see Middleton as another scoring wing to complement Devin Booker and Jalen Green.
Despite the surface-level appeal, several key factors make a trade or signing unlikely:
- Roster Redundancy at the Wing
The Suns already boast a crowded wing rotation—Booker, Green, Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks—all commanding significant minutes and salary. Middleton would cause overlap rather than fill a gap. - Lack of Positional Need
Phoenix’s real weaknesses lie in true point-of-attack playmaking and frontcourt size—not perimeter shooting. Middleton addresses neither need. - Insider Skepticism
Gambadoro’s dismissal of the rumors carries weight with local coverage and fans, suggesting that internal knowledge doesn’t support the rumors. - Rebuilding Strategy vs. Veteran Swap
With a focus on youth and flexibility—including moving out longer-term veterans like Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale—adding Middleton doesn’t align with a forward-looking retool.
