Mavericks on verge of losing best part of Anthony Davis trade to longtime rival

Khris Middleton has turned into an integral piece for the Dallas Mavericks since being acquired in the Anthony Davis trade this month, but Dallas is in real danger of losing him over the next few days. He still hasn't decided if he'd like to be bought out, but the Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, and other playoff teams have already shown interest in him, according to NBA insider Brett Siegel.

The Spurs landing Middleton would help them separate themselves even further from Dallas, and this is the last thing that Mavericks fans want. San Antonio remains one of Dallas' biggest rivals due to their proximity and a handful of playoff duels in the early 2000s, and Mavericks fans wouldn't be able to bear seeing one of the most exciting midseason additions suit up for San Antonio.

Mavericks fans will know Middleton's fate soon, as the deadline for players to be playoff-eligible for their new teams after being bought out is Sunday. Friday night's game could end up being his last game as a Maverick if he is leaning toward being bought out, and this would be a brutal ending to what has been a strong run as a Maverick since coming over in the Davis trade.

Nuggets and Spurs are already circling Khris Middleton

Middleton getting to play for a contender rather than a 21-37 Dallas Mavericks team seems like a much better situation for the 34-year-old wing, and teams around the league already lining up to sign him if he becomes a free agent is not a good sign for Dallas. The Mavericks are obviously more than happy to keep him until the end of the season, but they can't offer him a chance to compete for a title like the Nuggets or Spurs can.

Denver is 37-22 on the year, and adding a player like Middleton could be the exact move they need to take down the Oklahoma City Thunder this season. The Nuggets were one win away from taking down Oklahoma City last season, and they're bound to be one of the top teams in the West once again once they get healthy.

With the Spurs, they're inching toward title contention. They could win the NBA Finals as soon as this season, and they've had the Thunder's number all season, beating them in four out of their five matchups this season. Seeing Middleton join the Mavericks' longtime rival that has taken over the title as the No. 1 team in Texas would be a major blow, and he could be the boost they need to win their first title since 2014.

As a Maverick, Middleton is averaging 14.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 50 percent from the field, and fans would hate to see him go. His ability to create his own shot, score from all three levels, and provide veteran leadership has already been priceless for Dallas, and losing him amid this lost season would be another gut punch for the Mavericks.

Recent reports have indicated that Middleton will likely remain with Dallas, but things can change quickly.

Middleton's decision could determine his Mavericks future

It's not like they're playing for the playoffs, but Middleton is someone who makes perfect sense for the team to re-sign in free agency. Keeping him for the remainder of the season would allow Jason Kidd to better evaluate how he fits with the rest of the team, and Dallas has already let Middleton know that they're going to need some extra shooting next season.

Keeping him would be an ideal first step toward signing him to another contract, but asking for a buyout and signing with a contender would be a major indicator that he won't be returning in free agency. Dallas could still pursue him once he hits unrestricted free agency this summer, but if he wanted to stick around with the Mavericks long-term, he wouldn't ask out this season to begin with.

The next few days will give Mavericks fans a much better idea of what Middleton will decide to do, and him staying would be a dream. Asking for a buyout and leaving for Denver or their hated in-state rival, the Spurs, not so much.