Khris Middleton trade gifts Mavericks an unexpected blessing in disguise

Dallas Mavericks fans were under the impression that Santi Aldama would be absorbed into Dallas' $20.8 million Traded Player Exception from the Anthony Davis deal, but it has since been announced that Dallas will send Khris Middleton back to the Washington Wizards in the same six-team trade via sign-and-trade. This was not initially expected, and it allows Dallas to keep their TPE from the Davis deal.

Losing a three-time All-Star in free agency may seem like a negative, but Middleton being included in this deal is a huge blessing in disguise due to the renewed flexibility they now have. If Middleton weren't signed-and-traded to Washington in this deal, Dallas would not have access to the traded player exception.

The Mavericks still have access to the Non-Taxpayer's Mid-Level Exception to use in free agency this summer, but with so many desirable free agents already off the board, it's more likely they'll use the TPE at this point. Dallas can use the TPE up to next season's trade deadline, which gives them a great deal of flexibility if they don't choose to use it this offseason.

Mavericks regain flexibility by including Middleton in the Aldama trade

There are many great role players and rising young players making less than $20.8 million next season, as it's not the most common thing for a team to have a trade exception that large, and Masai Ujiri and company are in a position to take advantage of this asset.

Given the construction of Dallas' roster, though, it would be very surprising if they don't make more moves this summer, even if it doesn't involve the MLE or TPE.

Overall, this was a great piece of business by Ujiri and Dallas' new front office. They found a way to work out a deal with a free agent who was probably going to leave anyway in Middleton to still maintain their maximum flexibility this summer. This makes the Davis deal even sweeter, as Dallas isn't just getting Aldama from the fallout in this trade, but can add another quality role player down the line if they choose to do so.

How Dallas can use their TPE

Unfortunately, a TPE must be used as a standalone asset, so Dallas can't combine the TPE in aggregate with something else to make a deal work. But with their TPE being at such a high number, there's definitely a good possibility they can find a way to use it before next season's trade deadline. As aforementioned, it'd be extremely surprising if the Mavericks are done making moves this offseason.

Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, and Naji Marshall have all had their names in trade rumors dating back to early last season, and the Mavericks are overloaded on wings. They could use one of those contracts to acquire a high-level guard, but they could also use the TPE to make that happen as well.

Dallas being able to flip Middleton back to Washington in the six-team trade where they acquired Aldama has easily been their most notable move this summer, but the fact they still have their MLE and TPE speaks volumes to the fact there are still moves on the table for Ujiri to pull off this summer, or before next season's trade deadline at the very least.

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