NBA veteran Khris Middleton, recently acquired by the Dallas Mavericks before the trade deadline, was widely considered a potential buyout target by several teams. However, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has firmly put an end to the speculation, confirming that Middleton will remain with Dallas for the rest of the season.
Speaking ahead of Dallas’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kidd emphasized that Middleton would not be departing the team anytime soon. His presence is valued not only for his on-court contributions but also for the veteran leadership he provides in the locker room.
Looking at Khris as a vet, he’s already had some impact with us, on and off the floor. For him to be able to stay, it was great,
Kidd remarked.
We’ll try not to play him 40 minutes a night, but I think his ability as a vet to score and to lead is something that’s needed in that locker room, so we’re happy he’s staying.
Throughout the season, Jason Kidd allowed Middleton the autonomy to determine his future with the Mavericks. Despite interest from several contenders, including the Denver Nuggets, Middleton’s choice to remain effectively closes the door on any buyout moves.
Examining Dallas’ Chances Under Jason Kidd’s Leadership
At the season’s start, Jason Kidd’s Mavericks were viewed as a surprising contender in the Western Conference. The expected return of Kyrie Irving, coupled with the potential contributions from Anthony Davis and rookie Cooper Flagg, set optimistic expectations for the team.
Those hopes, however, have been dampened by injuries and inconsistent performances. The Mavericks quickly fell out of playoff contention, and with Kyrie Irving sidelined for the rest of the season, their prospects of entering the play-in tournament appear slim.
Currently ranked 12th in the Western Conference with a 21-39 record, Dallas trails the 10th-place Los Angeles Clippers by seven games. Overcoming this gap will be a significant challenge for the Mavericks’ current roster.
While Middleton offers dependable scoring and leadership, his season averages of 10.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game might not be sufficient to turn the team’s fortunes around. Cooper Flagg’s ongoing injury further limits the team’s capabilities, placing even more pressure on Kidd to find solutions.
Given these circumstances, the Mavericks may need to adjust their goals and focus on building toward next season instead of aiming for a play-in spot this year.
Jason Kidd on Khris Middleton finishing the season in Dallas rather than pursuing a buyout:
“Looking at Khris as a vet, he’s already had some impact with us, on and off the floor. For him to be able to stay, it was great. We’ll try not to play him 40 minutes a night, but I think… pic.twitter.com/leuHnq8Zw2
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) March 1, 2026
