NBA: Khris Middleton dribbles the ball for the Dallas Mavericks during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

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Should The Dallas Mavericks Buyout Khris Middleton Before The March 1 Deadline?

James PierceyFebruary 25, 2026 9:55 PMFebruary 25, 2026 10:20 PM

Khris Middleton has been a revelation for the Dallas Mavericks. That isn’t necessarily a good thing.

His performance in Dallas has been substantially better than what he showed earlier this season with the Washington Wizards. In five games with the Mavericks, Middleton is averaging 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 23.0 minutes per game while shooting 49.0% from the field, 35.3% from three, and 88.9% from the free-throw line. His 61.5% true shooting percentage in that span reflects a level of scoring efficiency he simply didn’t reach in Washington, where he averaged 10.3 points on 43.3% shooting across 34 games.

So, what’s the issue? Well, the Mavericks do not need winning players at the moment. They need to lose games to maximize their lottery odds in the upcoming draft.

So the decision is obvious: They need to buy Middleton out. Right?

The Cons of Buying Khris Middleton Out

Let’s think about this organization’s priorities. The Mavericks don’t appear keen to tank. When they accepted a package built around Anthony Davis and a first-round pick in the Luka Dončić deal, it signaled a desire to remain competitive rather than pivot fully toward a teardown.

That plan hasn’t worked out as hoped. Davis is no longer in the picture, and at 21–36, the Mavericks are closer to the bottom of the Western Conference than the top.

Still, that doesn’t automatically mean they should abandon their principles. Dallas can argue that putting the best possible product on the floor every night matters. Keeping Middleton could be viewed as a culture-setting move — a signal to the locker room that professionalism and execution remain priorities regardless of record.

There’s also the free-agency angle. Middleton, a 13-year veteran, three-time All-Star, and 2021 NBA champion, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. At 34, and averaging 10.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists overall this season across 39 games, he’s no longer the 20-point-per-game scorer he was at his peak in Milwaukee. But he’s still a capable wing who can shoot, create in the mid-range, and steady an offense.

If Dallas values what he’s shown in this short stint — including a 25-point performance against Indiana on 11-of-15 shooting — keeping him in-house could give them an inside track in negotiations. That opportunity likely disappears if they buy him out now.

And realistically, how many wins will Middleton add? He has played well, but the Mavericks have still lost to the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Lakers during his time in Dallas. Wins over teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers don’t automatically become tank-altering outcomes. It’s fair to argue that Dallas might have won some of those games regardless.

Why rush to let him walk?

The Pros of Buying Khris Middleton Out

Here’s the question that hasn’t really been asked: What does Middleton want?

If Dallas buys him out, he likely joins a contender for the stretch run. Given his résumé — including three All-Star selections and a championship ring — that scenario would make sense. Without pretending to know his mindset, it’s reasonable to assume a veteran in his 13th season would welcome the chance to compete for something meaningful this spring.

There’s also the simpler, more pragmatic argument: Middleton is good. That’s bad for Dallas.

Even marginal improvement matters in the standings. The difference between a 7.5% chance at the No. 1 pick and a 9% chance can hinge on a game or two. Middleton’s efficiency in Dallas — 55.1% effective field goal percentage with the team compared to 48.8% in Washington — suggests he can tilt close games in subtle ways.

Why take that risk?

The Verdict

Buy Middleton out.

It’s too late to establish a winning culture this season. That ship has sailed. The Mavericks are one of the worst teams in the Western Conference, and maximizing lottery positioning should be the priority.

They can reset this summer.

As strong as Middleton’s play has been in a small sample, comparable veterans will be available in free agency. Dallas shouldn’t let five efficient games cloud a bigger-picture evaluation.

Middleton has been a revelation. He just might not fit the plan. A buyout agreement would need to take place before the March 1 deadline for him to be eligible for the postseason.

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