Khris Middleton Mulls Mavericks Buyout, Nuggets Interested

Khris Middleton is weighing his options ahead of Sunday's buyout deadline, telling Marc Stein he is "continuing to weigh his options." If he pursues a buyout he could sign with a playoff contender, and the Denver Nuggets have expressed interest. Stein reports the Mavs have "essentially left it up to" Middleton as Dallas sits 20-36 and cannot offer a realistic title chase this season. Merlin sees a veteran at a pivot point. At 34 Middleton still showed he can produce, leading Dallas with 25 points in a recent win. Staying would give the Mavericks a steady shooter and a mentor for rookie Cooper Flagg, while a buyout would likely send Middleton to a team that can chase a second championship this year.