Mavs may part ways with new trade return to reunite with NBA championship teammate
The dust has finally settled on a chaotic 2026 NBA trade deadline, yet the roster maneuvering in Dallas may not be finished. After the Dallas Mavericks executed a franchise-altering blockbuster by sending Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards, the focus has shifted to the assets returned in the deal. While the trade brought a haul of draft capital and young players to Texas, it also landed veteran forward Khris Middleton in a Mavericks uniform—a fit that many league insiders believe is temporary.
According to recent reports, including analysis from The Athletic, the Mavericks are widely expected to explore a buyout agreement with the 34-year-old forward. Middleton, once a perennial All-Star, was included in the Davis deal primarily for salary-matching purposes. With Dallas pivoting toward a retooling phase—and potentially eyeing a higher lottery position—keeping an aging veteran on the roster makes little strategic sense for the remainder of the season.
If the Mavericks and Middleton do agree to part ways, the narrative quickly shifts to a potential homecoming. The rumor mill is already buzzing with the possibility of Middleton returning to the Milwaukee Bucks. Such a move would allow him to reunite with Giannis Antetokounmpo, the teammate with whom he captured the 2021 NBA Championship.
For Milwaukee, bringing back their former second option would be a low-risk, high-reward sentimental play. While Middleton’s production has dipped significantly since his prime years, his chemistry with Antetokounmpo and familiarity with the Bucks' system could provide a stabilizing presence for a playoff push. He may no longer be the high-usage scorer who closed out games in the 2021 Finals, but his ability to space the floor and facilitate in short bursts remains valuable.
For the Mavericks, granting Middleton his release would be a gesture of goodwill, allowing a respected veteran to chase another ring rather than play out the string on a lottery-bound team. As the buyout market heats up, all eyes are on Dallas to see if they will facilitate one of the season’s most heartwarming reunions.
According to recent reports, including analysis from The Athletic, the Mavericks are widely expected to explore a buyout agreement with the 34-year-old forward. Middleton, once a perennial All-Star, was included in the Davis deal primarily for salary-matching purposes. With Dallas pivoting toward a retooling phase—and potentially eyeing a higher lottery position—keeping an aging veteran on the roster makes little strategic sense for the remainder of the season.
If the Mavericks and Middleton do agree to part ways, the narrative quickly shifts to a potential homecoming. The rumor mill is already buzzing with the possibility of Middleton returning to the Milwaukee Bucks. Such a move would allow him to reunite with Giannis Antetokounmpo, the teammate with whom he captured the 2021 NBA Championship.
For Milwaukee, bringing back their former second option would be a low-risk, high-reward sentimental play. While Middleton’s production has dipped significantly since his prime years, his chemistry with Antetokounmpo and familiarity with the Bucks' system could provide a stabilizing presence for a playoff push. He may no longer be the high-usage scorer who closed out games in the 2021 Finals, but his ability to space the floor and facilitate in short bursts remains valuable.
For the Mavericks, granting Middleton his release would be a gesture of goodwill, allowing a respected veteran to chase another ring rather than play out the string on a lottery-bound team. As the buyout market heats up, all eyes are on Dallas to see if they will facilitate one of the season’s most heartwarming reunions.
