It's been a busy offseason for the Dallas Mavericks, drafting Morez Johnson Jr. and Sergio De Larrea, with the two first-rounders already making for some great chemistry. Their latest Khris Middleton development is actually a genius on team president Masai Ujiri.
Per Shams Charania, Middleton agreed to a deal with the Washington Wizards. The NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks was a great veteran presence, but he didn't fit the Mavericks' young look. ESPN's Bobby Marks broke down why allowing Middleton to walk was actually financially smart.
"Because of the Khris Middleton sign-and-trade, Dallas will preserve the big $20.8M Anthony Davis trade exception."
Khris Middleton leaving was the best thing that could've happened for Dallas
Middleton was one of the notable free agents on the market, but this was addition by subtraction. The Wizards traded Middleton for the Mavericks in the Anthony Davis trade, and while fans agree this was the best option to undo the Luka Doncic trade as best they could, the team couldn't afford to keep Middleton.
The Mavericks couldn't justify a long-term deal for Middleton because he's about to be 35, and he doesn't fit the timeline of the Mavericks. This is Cooper Flagg's team, and while Kyrie Irving is a guy the Mavericks have in his mid 30s, they can definitely use one of the best ball handlers in the game.
If he were going to come back to Dallas, it would've only made sense to sign Middleton on a minimum deal. He's not going to be the 20-point game scorer he once was in Milwaukee, but he can still be one of the best locker room mascots.
Three years ago, he signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the Bucks. He was worth it back then, but not now.
In the end, the Mavericks subtracted AJ Johnson and Middleton for Aldama. The former Grizzlies 7-footer is a steal for trying to get the Mavs back on track, and he's still a young guy who's been getting better every year.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks are also getting Marcus Sasser, a young guard who's still trying to get better by the year. The Mavericks need as much guard depth as possible behind Irving, and there's a question about what the future holds for Ryan Nembhard and Brandon Williams.
The Mavericks are also getting a steal in EuroLeague star Tarik Biberovic, one of the best shooters around the world.
It seems the Mavericks are doing better without Middleton, and the Mavs are preserving $20.8 million. It was addition by subtraction, and it seems like the Mavericks are doing OK with their recent signings.
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