The Washington Wizards could make additional moves ahead of the NBA trade deadline with Khris Middleton once again tabbed one to watch.
The Washington Wizards are responsible for the biggest trade of the 2025-26 season thus far after agreeing to terms with the Atlanta Hawks to acquire Trae Young in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. The next question becomes when will Young be made available after remaining sidelined due to both a right knee MCL sprain and quad contusion, injuries that are expected to limit him for the majority of the games still to play this season. Of course, whether Young opts into his $49 million player option next season and the Wizards proceed with a contract extension is a big part of the Wizards' future, but with the trade deadline roughly one month away, the front office apparently might not be done making moves just yet.
Veteran shooter Khris Middleton is a reported buyout candidate, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic. He joined the organization last February after being sent from the Milwaukee Bucks in a trade package that sent Kyle Kuzma out of the Wizards organization, and since the start of the 2025-26 season, Middleton has been viewed as one of two likely trade candidates at or near the deadline.
The Athletic also reported that teams view Washington as a "natural dumping ground for unwanted contracts" given the Wizards sit roughly $30 million below the luxury tax line with a desire to add potential draft capital if acquiring a multi-year contract.
Middleton has started all 29 games he has been made available for the Wizards where he's averaging 9.8 points per game, the first time he has averaged single digit scoring since his rookie season in Detroit. Middleton is also shooting just 32.5% from three, posting two of the worst perimeter shooting performances during the season also since his rookie year. What the market looks like for Middleton remains to be seen despite his expiring contract, but the veteran forward remains the one to watch after ESPN also highlighted him as the most likely mover ahead of the deadline.
This comes after Middleton was reportedly one of two Wizards to track alongside CJ McCollum ahead of the 2026 slate. Brett Siegel of Clutch Points also pointed to Middleton as a potential trade deadline target before noting Malaki Branham, also on an expiring deal, as a potential mover. Marvin Bagley III was also included as one who "could generate some interest" with the veteran proving to be efficient when available.
Rabbins added that the expectation is Middleton, if not moved ahead of the trade deadline, becomes a buyout candidate later in the season where the veteran will have the opportunity to join a contender. Of course, Washington will look to add assets while holding onto the top-eight protected first round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Washington moved to 10-32 overall on the season after a four-point loss in the second and final matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on the afternoon of Martin Luther King Day. The Wizards will return to action to host Denver on Thursday, Jan. 22 for a 7 PM tipoff in the final matchup against the Nuggets this season.