The Dallas Mavericks acquired 2021 NBA champion Khris Middleton from the Washington Wizards in the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade. Many people around the NBA speculated that Dallas and Middleton would agree to a buyout after the trade, allowing the veteran to join a playoff team.
However, Middleton is still a member of the Mavericks and it appears the franchise is leaving a buyout decision up to the player, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
“Dallas has essentially left it up to newly acquired Khris Middleton to decide if he wants to stay with his new team for the rest of the season or seek a buyout, league sources say,” Stein wrote. “Middleton can still join a playoff-bound team is he waived by March 1 (Sunday), but he could just opt to stay put and see where it leads. The 34-year-old scored 25 points in the Mavericks’ win Sunday at Indiana and — as has been conveyed to Middleton — Dallas will certainly still have a need for shooting next season.”
Middleton is making $33.3 million this season in the final year of his contract. The three-time All-Star turns 35 in August.
In four appearances with the Mavericks, Middleton is averaging 16.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 48.9% from the field, 40.0% from beyond the arc and 87.5% from the free-throw line.
Dallas is in 12th place in the Western Conference standings. All signs point toward Jason Kidd’s group missing the playoffs and play-in tournament this season.
Middleton is better suited to play for a playoff team at this stage of his career, so it will be fascinating to see if the swingman’s representation approaches the Mavericks about a buyout.
A Texas A&M product, Middleton has played for the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Wizards and Mavericks. He holds career averages of 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
Middleton helped the Bucks win the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns.
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