Khris Middleton is back with the Wizards, agreeing to a three-year, $17.6 million contract as part of a sign-and-trade with the Dallas Mavericks.
The move is part of what is ultimately a six-team trade that included the Wiz, Mavs, Grizzlies, Clippers, Bucks, and Pistons, and includes a total of 11 players and a dozen picks or pick swaps.
To facilitate the deal, the Wizards are trading D’Angelo Russell (one year and $5.97 million left), a second-round picks in 2029 and 2033, and a 2032 second-round pick swap to Dallas. The Mavs are also sending a 2033 second-round pick to Washington as well.
Middleton returns after being dealt to Dallas in the Anthony Davis deal back in January. He averaged 10.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 63 games between the teams last year, and he had a 10.7-3.7-3.4 line in 14 games as a Wizards in 2024-25 after being acquired from Milwaukee.
The 34-year-old was a second-round pick in 2012 and has parlayed that into a 14-year career where he has averaged a 16.1-4.7-3.9 line, been a three-time All-Star, and won a championship with the Bucks.
The moves also mark another front office masterpiece for GM Will Dawkins, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks: Washington's acquisitions of Middleton and DeAndre Ayton eat up the entire expiring trade exception they gained when dealing Kelly Olynyk to San Antonio last year, and they gain two new $6 million trade exceptions for Jaden Hardy and Russell, who departed in those trades.
Sign-and-trade deals also only require the first year to be guaranteed, and per Josh Robbins, the second year is partially guaranteed and the third is non-guaranteed.
With their moves, the Wizards have 13 players under guaranteed deal, with Justin Champagnie on a non-guaranteed/partial deal and a full slate of three two-way players, with a salary of $189 million - $11 million below the tax cap and $20 million below the first apron.
They do have those two $6 million exceptions, as well as the non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $15 million and one veteran minimum deal exception available to add to that roster as well.
