Thrill of possible reunion could be enough to sway Khris Middleton from Mavericks

As Marc Stein of The Stein Line previously reported, the Dallas Mavericks are letting Khris Middleton decide if he wants to stay with the team (subscription required) for the rest of the season or join a contender on the buyout market. If he does go, there is one team that stands out more than the rest — the Pistons.

Middleton could return to where it all started for him, as Detroit drafted him in the second round in 2012. He spent one season with the Pistons, appearing in 27 games, before they traded him to the Bucks the following offseason. He spent 11 and a half seasons in Milwaukee before the team traded him to Washington before last year's deadline.

He arrived in Dallas this season as part of the Anthony Davis deal. The Mavericks are doing the opposite of trying to win a title this year, as they need another high draft pick in June, so it'd help them if Middleton spent the rest of the season elsewhere. It'd benefit him, too, as the move would put him in a position to possibly win a second championship.

Detroit could really use Middleton after making one move at the deadline, acquiring Kevin Huerter in a multi-team deal. He's already out of the rotation. The Pistons are still without the shooting and creation they need around Cunningham, which is where Middleton comes in.

The Pistons should want Middleton to agree to buyout with Mavericks

Detroit has a top-10 offensive rating in the NBA, despite attempting 31.8 threes per game (27th in the league) and shooting 34.9% from deep (21st in the NBA). The Pistons need another go-to scorer, and while Middleton isn't who he was at the peak of his career with the Bucks, his presence would help alleviate pressure from Cunningham.

They could use his playmaking abilities, too. Cunningham is averaging 9.8 assists per game, but behind him is Daniss Jenkins, who is averaging 3.1 per contest. That's quite the gap.

Middleton would fill a need for the Pistons, who have sat at the top of the East for most of the season, but aren't viewed by many as a serious playoff threat. Their lack of shooting and postseason experience are the two main reasons for that, both of which the veteran could help with. He does know a thing or two about winning a title.

It'd be more than a feel-good story for Middleton to return to Detroit, as helping guide the Pistons to the deep playoff run they seek would serve as another exclamation mark on the 34-year-old's career.