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Nikola Jokić reacts during a recent Nuggets game as Denver awaits his return from a knee injury.
Going into the Sunday afternoon matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 1, the Denver Nuggets found out that one of their rumored buyout targets will not be available after all.
Khris Middleton and the Dallas Mavericks considered splitting, but Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports that the veteran forward will ultimately remain with the rebuilding Mavs through the end of the 2025-2026 NBA season.
“Khris Middleton intends to finish the season with the Mavericks,” Stein wrote on social media. “Middleton told me earlier this week that he would keep his options open into the weekend ahead of Sunday’s buyout deadline to be playoff-eligible with a new team.”
Stein reported that Denver was “among playoff teams with interest.” While multiple teams were expected to show interest, the Nuggets were the only team consistently linked to Middleton.
“There has been pessimism all week that the former Bucks All-Star and champion could be lured away from Dallas, where he has settled quickly since arriving via the Anthony Davis trade,” Stein Added.
Denver was among the playoff teams with interest in signing Middleton via the buyout market but there has been pessimism all week that the former Bucks All-Star and champion could be lured away from Dallas, where he has settled quickly since arriving via the Anthony Davis trade. https://t.co/TNvWLIQmZj
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 1, 2026
Where Are The Denver Nuggets At In The Western Conference?
Heading into the Sunday afternoon matchup, the Nuggets hold a 37-23 record on the year.
The Nikola Jokic-led unit is ranked fourth in the Western Conference. The stakes for Sunday’s game are high, considering the Timberwolves are just 0.5 games behind the Nuggets.
If the West’s standings remain the same through the end of the year, then Sunday’s action could end up being a first-round preview for the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
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This season, the Nuggets have faced plenty of adversity on the health front. Nikola Jokic missed a chunk of games, which placed pressure on Jamal Murray to reach another level. Both players have been delivering this year.
In 44 games, Jokic is averaging 28.7 points, 10.5 assists, and 12.6 rebounds, while shooting 57% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.
Murray, the first-time All-Star, has produced 25.3 points per game on 48% shooting from the field, and has knocked down 42% from three. He is also dishing out 7.3 assists per game and coming down with 4.4 rebounds.
What’s Next For Khris Middleton?
GettyKhris Middleton and the Dallas Mavericks are expected to remain together through the end of the 2025-2026 NBA season.
The 34-year-old’s All-Star days with the Milwaukee Bucks are behind him.
Last season, the Bucks sent Middleton to a rebuilding Washington Wizards team. He played 14 games for the Wizards last year and opened up the 2025-2026 season with 34 appearances for Washington. Middleton averaged 10.3 points while shooting 43%.
Dallas acquired Middleton in the Anthony Davis deal.
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With a 21-38 record on the year, the Mavericks are 12th in the Western Conference. The postseason doesn’t seem realistic for the Mavs, but that hasn’t scared off Middleton. The veteran forward will remain a solid veteran presence for the Mavericks as they close out year one of the Cooper Flagg era.
Middleton’s $93 million contract will expire at the end of the season. He’ll be viewed as a notable free agent in July.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
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