Khris Middleton Returns to Wizards in Six-Team Blockbuster

The Washington Wizards pulled off an elaborate shakeup that produced a six-team trade for free agent wing Khris Middleton.

He is heading back to the Wizards on a three-year, $17.6 million deal in a sign-and-trade with the Dallas Mavericks in a reunion that was not a simple one.

The chain reaction saw Washington send D'Angelo Russell and multiple second round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies, while the Detroit Pistons swapped Caris LeVert and two second-round picks for Milwaukee Bucks’ Taurean Prince and Gary Harris, which created a trade exception and cap savings for the Pistons.

There are several additional moving pieces of the trade, but the headliner is Middleton.

He brings a real established track record at 34-years-old back to Washington where he has spent time in each of the past two seasons.

To read more about the major sign-and-trade deal and what Middleton brings back to Washington, here’s the full story from Wizards Roundtable writer Ahmed Ghafir.

Middleton has shown that he rises in high leverage situations as his numbers shine more in the postseason than the regular season.

He has career playoff averages of 20.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.

Middleton is also a 2021 NBA champion alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, and his 12 years in Milwaukee also saw him become a three-time All-Star.

He was traded to Washington at the 2025 deadline but was quickly sent to Dallas in the deal for Anthony Davis.

His return brings veteran presence and a final piece of the core alongside Davis and Trae Young as Washington makes a real push for playoff contention.