Dallas Mavericks Say New Trade Additions Could Play Saturday

Grant AfsethFebruary 5, 2026February 5, 2026

NBA: Khris Middleton brings the ball up court for the Washington Wizards against the Denver Nuggets at Capital One Arena.

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks may not have to wait long to see their NBA trade deadline additions on the floor.

After completing a three-team trade with the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets, Dallas added Khris Middleton, Tyus Jones, Marvin Bagley III, and AJ Johnson, along with two future first-round picks and three second-round picks. The Mavericks sent Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Danté Exum to Washington as part of the deal.

Dallas executives said Thursday that all four incoming players are expected to arrive in time for a possible debut this weekend. Co-interim general manager Matt Riccardi said the Mavericks are moving quickly through the onboarding process.

“They’re on their way here tomorrow morning,” Riccardi said. “We’ll go through physicals and the normal onboarding process, and if everything goes smoothly with travel, we’re hoping to get them ready to go for the game Saturday night.”

That would put Middleton, Jones, Bagley, and Johnson in position to make their Mavericks debuts against the San Antonio Spurs.

Khris Middleton Brings Championship Experience on the Wing

Middleton arrives as the centerpiece of the trade and the most accomplished addition. The 14-year veteran holds career averages of 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 45.9% from the field, 38.5% from three-point range, and 87.7% from the free-throw line across 810 career games.

A three-time All-Star and NBA champion with Milwaukee in 2021, Middleton also brings familiarity with head coach Jason Kidd, who coached him for four seasons with the Bucks from 2014 to 2018.

Riccardi pointed to Middleton’s professionalism and pedigree when discussing his fit.

“Chris is the consummate pro and brings championship experience,” Riccardi said.

Dallas views Middleton as a stabilizing two-way presence and a standard-setter as the roster continues to form around Cooper Flagg.

Tyus Jones Brings a Point Guard Presence

Jones fills one of Dallas’ most pressing needs. The 29-year-old guard owns career averages of 7.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 44.2% from the field and 37.3% from three.

Jones has led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio for an NBA-record six consecutive seasons (2018–24), set the single-season record at 7.35 in 2023–24, and is on pace to surpass that mark again this year if he qualifies.

Riccardi emphasized why Jones was targeted.

“Tyus is a really good natural point guard,” Riccardi said. “He’s an organizer. He’s a game manager. He’s different from what we currently have on the roster.”

Michael Finley added that guard play was central to the team’s evaluation process.

“If you look around the league, the teams that are most successful have great guard play — someone who can lead the offense and put guys in the right positions to make easier shots,” Finley said. “The less pressure we can put on Cooper offensively, the better it is for him and for the entire team.”

Marvin Bagley III Adds Frontcourt Production and Depth

Bagley adds size, athleticism, and scoring to the frontcourt rotation. The former No. 2 overall pick holds career averages of 11.8 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 52.7% from the field in 327 career games.

The 2018–19 All-Rookie First Team selection has played for Sacramento, Detroit, Washington, and Memphis, providing Dallas with an experienced big capable of contributing immediately.

Riccardi highlighted Bagley’s recent play when discussing his role.

“Marvin has been playing really well,” Riccardi said.

AJ Johnson Brings Youth and Upside

Johnson arrives as a developmental piece with upside. The 21-year-old has averaged 5.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 15.8 minutes across 54 career games with Milwaukee and Washington.

Riccardi underscored the organization’s belief in Johnson’s long-term potential.

“AJ is a 21-year-old with high upside who’s just scratching the surface,” Riccardi said.

Dallas sees Johnson as a player who can grow alongside its young core while benefiting from the presence of established veterans.

A Reset With Direction for the Dallas Mavericks

Finley framed the trade as a necessary step toward restoring momentum and reestablishing a championship-minded environment.

“We decided, as an organization — front office and management — that we needed to do something to bring back the winning culture here in Dallas,” Finley said. “We thought that doing the move that we did puts us back in that conversation.”

With travel underway and physicals scheduled, the Mavericks could unveil a significantly reshaped rotation within days, signaling the start of a new phase built around efficiency, flexibility, and long-term vision.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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