For the second straight trade deadline, former Milwaukee Bucks great Khris Middleton is on the move, and this time, he’s heading somewhere warmer.
Middleton, who was traded last year by the Bucks to the Washington Wizards in a deal that brought back Kyle Kuzma, has reportedly been sent to the Dallas Mavericks in a deal that sent Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Wizards. Middleton is joined by another former Bucks player, AJ Johnson, as well as Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks and three second-rounders as part of the haul.
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Middleton and Johnson, Milwaukee’s first-round pick in 2024 at age 19, were sent last year to Washington in exchange for Kuzma and Sussex Hamilton High School alumnus Patrick Baldwin Jr. who was later sent to San Antonio to open up a Milwaukee roster spot and eventually waived.
Middleton, of course, played a starring role in Milwaukee’s run to the 2021 NBA championship, and his injury loomed large when the Bucks fell to the Boston Celtics in the subsequent year’s Eastern Conference semifinals. Middleton, 34, spent 12 decorated years in Milwaukee and made three all-star teams. He’s Milwaukee’s all-time leader in three-pointers made (1,382), and he’s third in points and assists, as well as fifth in steals.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) guards Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (22) during the second half of their game Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Washington Wizards beat the Milwaukee Bucks 114-113.
Davis was part of a mystifying blockbuster last season that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Wizards (13-36) and Mavericks (19-31) are both on a lottery trajectory, though Dallas has had a strong season from No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg.
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Middleton averages 10.3 points per game this year for the Wizards in 24.3 minutes per game. Now, he’ll re-connect with his former head coach in Milwaukee, current Mavericks coach Jason Kidd.
Middleton will theoretically get a chance to visit his old stomping grounds March 31, when the Bucks host the Mavericks in a game that was originally scheduled in January before adverse weather kept the Mavericks from making the trip and forced a postponement.
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The Bucks may actually prefer not to see their old friend on the court. After all, three of Washington’s 13 wins this season have come at the expense of the Bucks. Middleton also had a team-leading 23 points in the season opener at Fiserv Forum, the one Bucks victory in the season series (133-120 final).
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Khris Middleton, ex-Bucks star, traded to Mavericks by Wizards