The Washington Wizards have positioned themselves as one of the league’s most unpredictable teams ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
While blockbuster moves have already reshaped the roster, league executives believe another major decision could soon follow. At the center of that uncertainty sits a veteran NBA champion with a massive contract and an increasingly unclear future.
Khris Middleton’s Contract Looms Over the Washington Wizards’ Deadline Strategy
According to The Athletic’s Joshua Robbins, Khris Middleton has emerged as a likely buyout candidate if he remains with the Wizards past the deadline. Robbins reported that although Middleton has shown “some signs of life lately,” league executives no longer view the 34-year-old forward as a meaningful difference maker for a contending team.
“The majority of league sources whom The Athletic spoke with said they think Middleton’s most likely outcome is to remain with the Wizards through the deadline and be a buyout candidate,” Robbins wrote.
Khris Middleton is a buyout candidate, per @JoshuaBRobbins
“Middleton, 34, has shown some signs of life lately, but no longer looks like a potential difference-maker for a contending team. The majority of league sources whom The Athleticspoke with said they think Middleton’s… pic.twitter.com/pwieY7ayDa
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 20, 2026
The Wizards have already made waves during this deadline cycle by acquiring former All-Star Trae Young, but league and team sources expect the Wizards to continue operating aggressively. Rather than chasing short-term wins, the front office is open to absorbing multi-year contracts if rival teams attach draft picks or young players. One league source described the Wizards as a potential salary “dumping ground for assets.”
That philosophy reflects the priorities established by Monumental Basketball president Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins, who have emphasized long-term flexibility, draft capital, and youth since taking control of the organization.
Middleton’s $33.3 million expiring contract plays a central role in those plans. Along with Malaki Branham and Marvin Bagley III, he represents one of several expiring salaries the Wizards can use to facilitate trades.
However, league sources suggest that moving Middleton before the deadline remains unlikely, especially given the financial and competitive complications facing potential trade partners.
Portland’s Jerami Grant and Toronto’s Immanuel Quickley have both been mentioned as possible salary swap candidates, but league sources cautioned that neither team is solely seeking long-term salary relief. Both the Trail Blazers and Raptors are currently competing for playoff positioning, which makes a one-for-one exchange involving Middleton far less appealing.
Swapping Grant for Middleton, for example, would reduce Portland’s long-term commitments but create immediate luxury tax concerns, leaving little room for additional moves. That reality further narrows the Wizards’ trade options.
Financially, Middleton’s contract remains significant. According to Spotrac, he signed a three-year, $93 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, fully guaranteed. In the 2025 26 season, he is scheduled to earn $33.3 million, matching his cap hit and dead cap figure.
As the deadline approaches, the Wizards appear comfortable letting the market come to them. If no deal materializes, a buyout would allow the Wizards to maintain their long-term strategy while giving Middleton a chance to seek a new opportunity elsewhere. In a deadline defined by flexibility and asset accumulation, patience may prove to be the Wizards’ most valuable move.
