Marc Stein just delivered the clearest answer yet to the Khris Middleton buyout question: it’s not happening — at least not this season.
Stein reported that Middleton “intends to finish the season with the Mavericks,” citing sources close to the process. Middleton had previously told Stein he planned to keep his options open into the weekend ahead of Sunday’s buyout deadline for postseason eligibility with a new team.
Why today? Because that Sunday waiver/buyout cutoff has been the line in the sand for contenders hoping to add a veteran and still have him available in the playoffs.
Middleton told me earlier this week that he would keep his options open into the weekend ahead of Sunday’s buyout deadline to be playoff-eligible with a new team.
Khris Middleton Buyout Update: What Marc Stein Reported (and Why It Matters)
Stein’s reporting effectively shuts down the buyout-market angle that had hovered around Middleton as the deadline approached.
It also clarifies the “what’s next team?” chatter that often follows prominent veterans at this time of year. Stein previously noted that “Denver and other playoff teams” had shown interest, but the latest update points to Middleton staying put.
What’s the Buyout Deadline and What Does Playoff Eligibility Mean?
The short version: players waived after Sunday generally won’t be playoff-eligible for a new team this postseason, which is why the buyout market compresses around this date.
That deadline context matters even if a player isn’t ultimately bought out, because it’s the exact pressure point that forces a decision, and Stein’s update indicates Middleton’s decision is to remain with Dallas for the stretch run.
A buyout typically means a player gives back money to get released, clears waivers, and then signs elsewhere, but playoff eligibility rules make timing the biggest factor late in the season.
Khris Middleton Bio: Age, Stats, Contract, and How He Landed With the Mavericks
Middleton is 34 (born August 12, 1991) and is listed as a 6-foot-7 forward for Dallas.
Stats (this season): Middleton is at 10.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game for the 2025-26 season.
Spotrac lists Middleton with a 2025-26 player option and a base salary figure for that season. (If you include buyout math, keep it labeled as “estimated” unless you have exact guarantee language from official docs.)
Khris Middleton was traded to begin this buyout speculation. He was moved from Milwaukee to Washington and later ended up with the Mavericks, so the current story isn’t a trade, it’s whether he’d pursue a buyout (Stein now says no).
What Happens Next for Middleton and Dallas?
With Stein reporting Middleton intends to finish the season with the Mavericks, the focus shifts from buyout-watch to how Dallas uses him down the stretch.
The most helpful framing for readers: Middleton staying gives Dallas a veteran wing option for shot-making and steadier half-court possessions, and it avoids a last-minute roster churn scenario right at the eligibility deadline.
It’s also short term Cooper Flagg insurance for the Mavericks. The star rookie has been out with an ankle injury and has not missed extended time. Without him being on the court, the Mavericks lose a lot of ballhandling and playmaking. Middleton has shouldered big offensive loads in the past for the Bucks, so having the opportunity to do it in Dallas, at least for the rest of the season, may have been all the incentive he needed.
Did the Mavericks Buyout Khris Middleton? Here’s the Latest