Khris Middleton opts to stay with Mavericks, passes on buyout
khris-middleton-stays-with-mavericks-declines-buyout
Veteran forward Khris Middleton has elected to finish the season with the Dallas Mavericks, declining to pursue a contract buyout, according to Marc Stein.
Middleton, 34, had until Sunday to complete a buyout and remain eligible for the postseason with another club. Dallas had expressed a willingness to work with the former All-Star on his $33.3 million expiring deal if he chose that route.
A buyout would have stripped Middleton of his Bird rights, which moved to Dallas in the trade from Washington. Keeping those rights allows the Mavericks to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him this summer.
The Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs were among the teams linked to Middleton in recent days, though reports indicated Denver was skeptical about its chances. Because of apron limitations, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks would have been ineligible to sign him if he had been waived.
Since joining Dallas, Middleton is averaging 13.9 points on 48.5 percent shooting in 24 minutes across seven games.
Source: Hoops Wire
