Khris Middleton’ s career is winding down. Now, the veteran has an upcoming decision whether to stay with the Dallas Mavericks or seek a new team via the buyout market. What teams could be interested in him, if he is on the open market?
Middleton has had quite the career as one of the top 3-and-D wings earlier in his career. The 34-year-old is a three-time all-star and a 2021 NBA champion. He has played for four teams in his career —Detroit , Milwaukee , Dallas, and Washington —and now apparently faces an upcoming decision: remain with the Mavericks or accept a buyout. The Mavericks are reportedly leaving the decision to him, per NBA Insider Marc Stein.
“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 told Stein.
Khris Middleton has an upcoming decision: Stay with the Mavericks Or Accept Buyout To Try To Hook Up With Contender.
Middleton has until Sunday to make a decision. March 1 is the deadline for waiving players who are still eligible to play in the 2025-26 playoffs.
Middleton, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, has struggled for much of the season. However, the 6-7 wing has played much better since joining the Mavericks. The Mavericks acquired Middleton as part of the Anthony Davis three-team trade along with Marvin Bagley , A.J. Johnson , a 2026 1st round draft pick, a 2026 2nd round draft pick, a 2027 2nd round draft pick, a 2029 2nd round draft pick, and a 2030 1st round draft pick. They also received Tyus Jones from Charlotte in the deal.
Middleton has been excellent thus far for Dallas. Through five games with Dallas, including three starts, Middleton averages 10.8 points and 1.2 threes on 49.0% shooting from the field and 35.3% from deep. He has scored in double-figures in three of his outings, including a season-high 25 against Indiana on Sunday, while also adding 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
Middleton was injured last night in Dallas’s 123-114 victory over Brooklyn. Middleton collided with the Nets’ Nic Claxton and went to the floor in the second quarter. After exiting the game, he was evaluated and returned to finish the first half, but didn’t play the second half due to a right shoulder stinger. He finished with six points and five rebounds along with a steal in 12 minutes of action.
© Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images
To Find A New Home Or Stay In Dallas
Middleton has earned the majority of the $33.2 million salary this season. If Middleton is bought out, he will likely still owe a portion of his remaining salary, plus the prorated veteran’s minimum he will receive for the remainder of the season.
Dallas is destined to be a lottery team as the Mavericks sit in 12th place in the West with a 21-36 record. The Mavericks have lost nine of their last 11 and will remain shorthanded for the remainder of the year with Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II out. However, Stein noted that he could have a spot with the Mavericks next season due to his shooting ability.
Dallas has just 10 players under contract for next season with a salary cap of $146.7 million. The Mavericks project to have $16 million in cap space this summer. While none of the Mavericks’ upcoming free agents are must-re-signs, they will have two first-round picks — their own and Oklahoma City’s selection. The Mavs also own Phoenix’s second-round selection.
Whether Middleton decides to remain with the Mavericks or take the buyout, he likely won’t earn more than $5-to-$8 million on a one-year pact for next year.
Where Could Khris Middleton Land If He Hits Open Market?
Some NBA playoff teams will likely be interested in signing Middleton if he is bought out by Sunday. Middleton ranks in the top 100 in nearly every 3-point category and has been even more clutch in the playoffs. Middleton ranks 36th in career playoff three-pointers (196), 14th in playoff three-pointers per game (2.5), and 89th in three-point playoff percentage (89th). Additionally, he is an excellent passer and free-throw shooter, ranking 19th in career free-throw percentage (87.7%).
Ten of the NBA’s top 20 teams could realistically sign Middleton if he hits the open market. Orlando, Boston, Toronto, Denver, Houston, and Golden State are playoff teams with an open roster spot. San Antonio, Detroit, Charlotte, and Phoenix don’t have an open roster spot, but could create one easily. Of those four teams, the Spurs would have the easiest schedule since Mason Plumlee is on a 10-day deal that ends on Saturday.
Of those 10 teams, the Clippers are the only team that doesn’t make much sense for Middleton. Orlando, Boston, Toronto, Denver, Houston, San Antonio, Detroit, Phoenix, and Golden State make the most sense.
“I have to think there are a handful of contenders, playoff-bound teams, and I would have to think the Pistons are among them, wondering if there’s any chance they could convince Khris Middleton to pursue a buyout,” Stein said yesterday .
Orlando Magic
Orlando definitely needs a wing like Middleton and definitely some shooting. The Magic rank in the bottom third of the league in three-pointers, three-point attempts, and three-point percentage. Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs lead the Magic with two treys a game. Bane and Tristan da Silva are the only two regulars shooting at least 37% from deep.
The Magic also needs to add depth on the wings. The Magic have a top-10ish starting unit, but their bench ranks in the bottom third of the league. The Magic’s bench is just 27th in the league in scoring (31.7) and 28th in three-pointers per game (3.2), with splits of 44.7/32.6/73.9.
Orlando is 31-26 on the season, winning two straight and six of 10. The Magic are $552, 000 under the luxury tax.
Boston Celtics
Boston has been a huge surprise this season, sitting in second place in the East at 38-19, having won 14 of 18. The Celtics rank second in offensive rating and seventh in defensive ranking, but they are not a great shooting team. However, the C’s are a heavy three-point shooting team, averaging 15.4 threes at 36.2%, ranking second and 10th in the league. They do have a lot of three-point shooters and are fairly deep, especially if Jayson Tatum does return to action this year.
Boston does have two players on 10-day deals — Dalano Banton and John Tonje . Banton and Tonje each have totaled four minutes in one appearance. So, neither player is guaranteed to remain with the team through the season. The Celtics are $637. 169 below the luxury tax.
Toronto Raptors
Like the Magic, the Raptors rank in the bottom third in three-point shooting across the board. While Immanuel Quickley is the only Raptor to knock down at least two threes a game, they do have four regulars making at least one triple a game and shooting 36% or better.
Toronto is fifth in the East at 34-24. The Raptors, who are not in jeopardy of entering the NBA’s tax, could use adding some depth and scoring punch off the bench.