Veteran wing Khris Middleton is returning to Washington on a three-year, $17.6 million contract as part of a six-team sign-and-trade that also involves the Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons and LA Clippers. The deal folds in several previously reported moves, including the Bucks’ acquisition of Caris LeVert and Detroit’s signing of former Clippers forward John Collins.
The Wizards will send guard D’Angelo Russell and two future second-round picks to Memphis, while receiving a future second-round pick from Dallas and a 2033 second-round pick from the Mavericks. In addition, Washington will part with a 2029 Los Angeles Lakers second-round pick and its own 2033 second-round pick to the Grizzlies as part of the broader package. By moving Russell to Memphis, the Wizards create a larger trade exception that expires on July 9, and the front office then generates two additional $6 million trade exceptions by sending Jaden Hardy to the Lakers and by finalizing Russell’s move to Memphis.
Middleton, who turns 35 in August and won a championship with Milwaukee in 2021, posted 10.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists over 63 games last season while splitting time between Washington and Dallas. His veteran presence adds a reliable floor-spacer and secondary playmaker to a roster that already features interior anchor Deandre Ayton. The addition does not threaten the minutes of the team’s first-overall pick, AJ Dybantsa, who is expected to shoulder a larger wing role as the franchise rebuilds.
The contract is structured with a partially guaranteed second year and a non-guaranteed third year, a common arrangement for three-year sign-and-trades. Washington will need to decide before the start of the next season whether to retain Middleton for the final year. The trade-exception window and the flexibility created by the deal position the Wizards to make additional moves before the preseason, keeping the focus on developing Dybantsa while leveraging Middleton’s experience to accelerate the team’s competitive window.
Overall, the trade gives Washington a blend of veteran leadership and salary-cap maneuverability. Middleton’s ability to stretch the floor and mentor younger players should complement the team’s long-term rebuilding strategy, and the extra trade exceptions provide the front office with tools to explore further roster tweaks without compromising the core development plan.
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