Mavericks must stay far away from re-signing a free agent everyone thought was safe

A few weeks ago, I argued that Khris Middleton was the most obvious free agent the Dallas Mavericks should prioritize re-signing this offseason. At the time, it felt like a straightforward decision. But things have changed, and while Middleton provided real value in his brief stint in Dallas, he no longer looks like the safe bet he once did to return.

Khris Middleton’s early promise quickly faded

Following a strong first month in Dallas, highlighted by a 25-point outing in his third game with the team, Middleton’s role and production gradually declined. He did have a few additional standout performances between his arrival and the end of the season, including a 35-point effort in mid-March, but those moments were increasingly outliers as his overall impact trended downward.

He averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the floor in February. That dropped to 9.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 37.5 percent shooting in March, before falling further to 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 36.7 percent shooting in April.

Middleton was not brought in to be a primary scorer. At 34 years old, he is firmly in the latter stages of his career. However, while his veteran presence and late-game experience proved valuable in Dallas, there is increasingly limited justification for even a short-term role moving forward.

Mavericks' roster math leaves little room for return

Dallas already has 10 roster spots occupied heading into next season, not including Ryan Nembhard, who holds a team option, or two-way standouts Moussa Cisse and John Poulakidas. If Nembhard is retained and all three incoming draft picks are signed to standard contracts, Dallas would already reach 14 roster spots filled, leaving just one available slot.

With impending free agents Brandon Williams and Marvin Bagley III also in the mix, the Mavericks face a real roster dilemma. Even so, Middleton should not be part of that discussion. Dallas is deepest on the wing, his primary position, making him the most redundant option in an already crowded group.

Furthermore, while Middleton’s veteran presence and late-game effectiveness were valuable for the Mavericks, that skill set is likely better utilized on a contender rather than an up-and-coming team.

Middleton's best fit is likely elsewhere

A championship contender with a bloated payroll may ultimately be the most logical fit for Middleton. The former Milwaukee Buck is probably no longer chasing massive paydays — already among the highest career earners in NBA history (19th, to be exact) — and his priorities should appear to center more on securing a defined role on a team with title aspirations.

Middleton may not be eager to return to Dallas anyway, but the Mavericks should not be pushing to retain him either. What once felt like a surefire reunion has shifted, as a crowded wing rotation, a focus on developing younger talent, and limited roster space all point toward moving in a different direction.

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