Khris Middleton Chooses to Finish Season With Mavericks
khris-middleton-chooses-to-finish-season-with-mavericks
Khris Middleton has opted against a contract buyout and will stay with the Dallas Mavericks for the rest of the 2025-26 campaign, according to multiple sources.
The 34-year-old swingman needed to secure a buyout by Sunday to gain postseason eligibility with another club. Dallas had signaled a willingness to discuss a settlement on Middleton’s $33.3 million expiring deal, but the three-time All-Star elected to remain.
Denver and San Antonio were often cited as potential destinations had Middleton hit the market, though league rules would have prevented apron teams—Cleveland, Golden State and New York—from signing him because his salary exceeded the $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Sources indicated the Nuggets grew increasingly doubtful this week about prying him away from Dallas.
A buyout would have cost Middleton his Bird rights, which transferred to the Mavericks when he arrived from Washington at the trade deadline. Retaining those rights could help him secure a contract above the veteran minimum this summer, even though a significant pay cut is expected. With only a handful of teams projected to have cap space, league observers believe he could also be useful in a sign-and-trade scenario.
Since joining the Mavericks, Middleton has appeared in seven games, starting five. He is averaging 13.9 points in 24 minutes per night while shooting 48.5 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three and 89.3 percent at the foul line.
Source: HoopsRumors
