Khris Middleton's choice is already paying dividends after Mavericks trade

The Dallas Mavericks acquired Khris Middleton from the Washington Wizards in a trade that centered around Anthony Davis heading to the Eastern Conference. It was a three-team and nine-player deal that saw Dallas land multiple first-round draft picks, which seemed to be the priority over Middleton.

As the veteran swingman weighs his options and ponders how he should spend the rest of the 2025-26 season, it certainly seems as though he's committing to a future in Dallas—a mutually beneficial potential decision.

Middleton, 34, has spent the past four seasons struggling to overcome the injuries that derailed his prime. A three-time All-Star and one-time NBA champion, his talent is undeniable, but a surplus of ailments will impact any player's availability and general quality of play.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Middleton has been informed that the choice is his as to whether or not he wants to pursue a buyout with the Mavericks—though Dallas has informed him that they will need a player with his skill set beyond this season.

"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. 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's choice to play these first few games with the Mavericks appears to be the right decision, as he may secure a new contract with Dallas if he continues to excel.

Khris Middleton has option for buyout, but is still playing for Mavericks

Dallas' need for shooting is unavoidable and, quite frankly, not entirely excusable by their injury woes. Kyrie Irving certainly would've helped had he been healthy, but the Mavericks rank No. 27 in three-point field goal percentage and No. 29 in three-point field goals made per game in 2025-26.

Considering no one player will right the ship, it stands to reason that Middleton could be a part of a larger retooling of the roster this coming summer.

Middleton has an expiring $33,296,296 salary that he's unlikely to make close to during the 2026-27 campaign. What the Mavericks can offer him that may bridge the gap between financial desires and sustainability, however, is an opportunity to stay the course and help the franchise build around Cooper Flagg.

Flagg has been sensational, making a strong case for Rookie of the Year, but he's a downhill player who needs shooters around him and isn't necessarily efficient from distance at this stage.

Khris Middleton playing his way into 2026-27 contract with Mavericks

Middleton, meanwhile, is a career 38.5 percent shooter from beyond the arc. He's also a lethal midrange scorer who can exploit zone defenses and even create his own offense. Though not quite the star he used to be, there's value in what Middleton brings to the table.

The sharpshooter has even begun to look like his old self since joining the Mavericks, scoring 18 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves and dropping 25 on the Indiana Pacers.

Even if Middleton never gets back to an All-Star level, his championship experience, shooting, and general versatility make him an interesting fit for the 2026-27 season. He's a respected veteran who can help mentor young players and an efficient shooter who, if nothing else, can space the floor.

With Dallas leaving the future in his hands and informing him of how he fits their offseason needs, Middleton seems to be making the wise decision by sticking with a team that values him.