It’s been an interesting journey for Khris Middleton over the last few seasons. Since the triumph of the Milwaukee Bucks as NBA champions, a run through the playoffs where his clutch shot-making proved to be the ultimate difference maker, the injury bug has severely derailed him.
Khris Middleton Announces His Decision About Staying with the Mavericks
Since then, he has bounced around in various locations before ending up with the Dallas Mavericks near the trade deadline. As a veteran on a rebuilding squad, he had to decide whether to continue his season with the team or join a potential contender for the stretch run of the season. Now, right before the deadline, he has finally made his choice.
Injuries after the 2021 NBA championship completely derailed the plans for the Bucks. Failing to make it back to the promised land, they eventually bit the bullet, trading him to the perennially rebuilding Washington Wizards in exchange for Kyle Kuzma.
Barely spending a full season with the team, he was once again traded, this time to the Mavericks as part of the Anthony Davis trade. Reuniting with his former head coach, Jason Kidd, his future with the team was a mystery.
Kidd, on his end, had nothing but complimentary words for the three-time All-Star. “Playing through him, he’s a vet. I’ve been with him early in his journey. He’s a champion, he’s a pro, comes to work, does his job, understanding he can help us with his voice, not just his play.”
A three-level scorer with elite shot-making skills, alongside his consistently stout defense, Middleton can be a valuable rotational piece for a contender, with teams like the Denver Nuggets showing interest.
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However, right before the buyout deadline, his final decision came through. Marc Stein provided the latest update, “Khris Middleton intends to finish the season with the Mavericks, sources close to the process tell @TheSteinLine.”
Expanding on the update, he added, “Denver was among the playoff teams with interest in signing Middleton via the buyout market but there has been pessimism all week that the former Bucks All-Star and champion could be lured away from Dallas, where he has settled quickly since arriving via the Anthony Davis trade.”
Averaging a tick under 12 points per game this season, he’s been used in a limited capacity with just 22 minutes of action per game. But this is a player who averaged over 20 points per game just three seasons ago, though injuries limited his playing time.
On a potential contender, his experience, shot-making, and clutchness could be a major factor.
