02-27-2026, 12:49 PM
(02-27-2026, 12:18 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Interesting weekend for the Mavs and Kris Middelton, I guess. If he's going to ask for a buyout, it will happen by the end of Sunday. My understanding is that in order to qualify for playoff participation on a new team, Sunday is the deadline for waiving him, not the deadline for him to clear waivers. It seems like the Mavs are open to whatever he wants to do, at the moment.I wouldn't mind having Kris around next year, at the right price. He'll be 35 in August, but seems like a good guy and still can make contributions on the court. He's making ~$33M this season and knows he'll take a cut next season. If the wants out, will he give up part of this year's guaranteed salary? Does someone like DEN or DET (leading contenders?) sign him for multiple years or just as an add-on for this season + playoffs? Will he get more than a Vet Min with either?
I'm not sure what to think. If he stays, I can imagine him being a useful bench piece for another year or two. Very useful, in fact, if the Mavs are somehow good enough for it to matter. If they're not good enough soon, however, what even is the point? Contractually, I'm pretty confident he's not going to be a minimum player, but also won't command nearly as much as he has in the past. Maybe he's a BAE level guy? In that case, there could be some value in being able to sign him to that kind of deal through Bird rights without having to use an actual exception, correct? Then again, there are so many balls in the air with next year's roster I'm not even sure they'll have the room to bring back everyone they want, given the players they're likely hoping to add.
Where are we as a group on this? Are we at all excited about having him around next season? What do we think he might want?
Den has an open slot and (per Sportrac) is $4.4M under A1 and $16.3M under A2. Their salary total goes up by ~$30M with only 10 contracts next season.
Det has no open slots and is $9.1M under A1 and $21M under A2. Their salary total goes DOWN by ~$50M with only 10 contracts next season and 3 of those are TOs.
Not sure what DAL might offer for something like a 2-1 contract or if he'd get anything better from the other teams. I wish him well whatever he decides.