Southwest Notes: Middleton, Nembhard, Murphy, Prosper, Barnes
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd was pleased with Khris Middleton‘s decision to remain in Dallas for the rest of the season rather than seeking a buyout to get to a playoff team, tweets Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News.
“It’s great,” Kidd said. “Khris is a vet. He’s already had some impact with us, on and off the floor. For him to be able to stay, it’s great. We’ll try not to play him 40 minutes a night, but his ability as a vet to score and to lead is something that’s needed in that locker room, so we’re happy he stayed.”
Although Middleton stayed put, another veteran – Tyus Jones – negotiated his release from the Mavericks, which opened up a roster spot on Dallas’ 15-man roster. The team used that newly created opening to promote standout rookie guard Ryan Nembhard from his two-way contract.
According to Curtis (subscription required), Nembhard said after signing the deal that it “feels great” to get his first real NBA contract and that he’s “looking forward to building on this.” The former Gonzaga standout added that he has long felt valued by the Mavs, who tried to acquire a second-round pick to acquire him last June before ultimately signing him as an undrafted free agent.
“They showed a lot of love,” Nembhard told Curtis. “They got me in for a workout the day before the draft. I feel like there was an opportunity for me. That’s the biggest thing.”
We have more from around the Southwest:
- Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III played on Sunday for the first time since before the All-Star break, returning from a right shoulder contusion that kept him on the shelf for five games, writes Rod Walker of NOLA.com (subscription required). “A versatile player playing at a high level,” interim head coach James Borrego said of Murphy, who generated significant interest from rival teams ahead of February’s trade deadline. “He just raises our level, our standard, our ceiling. He’s having a tremendous year to this date. The energy, the vibe, the spirit, the competitiveness and the belief. I know he’s happy to be out there with his brothers.”
- Two-way forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper has taken on an increased role for the Grizzlies as of late, starting five straight games, playing small-ball center, and averaging 15.2 points per night on .628/.471/.867 shooting since February 6. Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal takes an in-depth look at Maxence-Prosper, who only has six games of eligibility left on his two-way deal and is making a strong case for a promotion to the standard roster. “All of O-Max’s energy is just contagious,” head coach Tuomas Iisalo told Afseth. “He’s one of the highest-motor players in the whole league. He’s had to basically shift up a position or two spots and is doing a great job. He’s improved his shooting from the outside and is shooting with a lot of confidence. … How he’s improving in the little facets of the game overall, it’s a testament to the hard work he’s putting in.”
- Removed last month from the Spurs‘ starting lineup after making 775 consecutive starts for four NBA teams, veteran forward Harrison Barnes continues to play regular minutes off the bench and has taken his new role in stride, notes Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required). “Harrison Barnes is as professional and as good of a veteran as you could want in your locker room,” Spurs forward Keldon Johnson said of his teammate, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Stein’s Latest: Flagg, Young, Middleton, Jones, Peterson
There’s rising optimism within the Mavericks organization that Cooper Flagg is close to returning from the midfoot sprain that has sidelined him since the All-Star break, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports in his latest Substack article.
Flagg is unlikely to play on Tuesday against Charlotte — he’s listed as doubtful — but Dallas has three more road games this week — Orlando on Thursday, Boston on Friday and Toronto on Sunday. Flagg grew up in Maine, so suiting up for the Mavs’ lone visit to Boston would have special meaning to him, Stein notes.
Flagg hasn’t played since Feb. 10. The top pick in last year’s draft is averaging 20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
Here’s more from Stein:
- Expect Trae Young and the Wizards to come to terms on a projected three-year contract extension this summer, Stein says. Young holds a $49MM option on his contract for next season, which wouldn’t be exercised if he signs an extension. The Hawks‘ unwillingness to sign Young to a new deal was the main reason the high-scoring point guard was dealt. What shouldn’t be expected is Young suiting up this season — Stein says skepticism persists around the league that the team would let the veteran guard, who has been sidelined with knee and quad issues, play again this season and jeopardize their lottery pick. The Wizards have a tenuous hold on the NBA’s fourth-worst record and need to stay there or lower to ensure that its draft pick won’t fall beyond No. 8 in the lottery. Their pick is only top-eight protected — otherwise, it must be conveyed to the Knicks.
[UPDATE: Trae Young to make Wizards debut Thursday] - As Stein reported over the weekend, Khris Middleton decided to remain with the Mavericks rather than pursue a buyout. Middleton would have sacrificed his Bird rights if he was bought out and waived. Middleton remains eligible for a potential sign-and-trade this summer but Dallas is interested in retaining Middleton — an unrestricted free agent after the season –depending on the state of the roster. Middleton has made a strong impression within the organization off the court and has also made a positive impact on the court, averaging 12.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in eight games.
- Tyus Jones was waived by the Mavericks on Saturday, allowing him to hook on with a playoff contender. Which one remains a mystery. The Rockets were expected to pursue a veteran point guard following the trade deadline but don’t have any plans in the short run to make a roster addition, says Stein.
- At least one talent evaluator from a lottery-bound team says he wouldn’t take Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson with the top pick. Peterson’s spotty availability has raised some red flags. “Too many question marks,” the evaluator told Stein.
Khris Middleton To Finish Season With Mavericks
Khris Middleton has decided not to pursue a buyout and will remain with the Mavericks for the rest of the season, sources tell Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link).
To be eligible to appear in the playoffs with another team, Middleton would have needed to finalize a buyout with Dallas by the end of the day on Sunday. He was considering his options earlier in the week, and the Mavs indicated that they were willing to negotiate a buyout of his $33.3MM expiring contract if that’s want he wanted.
The Nuggets and Spurs were mentioned as teams that had interest in Middleton if he became available, and there would likely have been numerous other suitors. He would have been eligible to sign with anyone except the Cavaliers, Warriors and Knicks because they’re operating in apron territory and aren’t permitted to add a player waived during the season who had been earning more than the $14.1MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
There was “pessimism” in Denver this week that Middleton could be lured away from the Mavericks, according to Stein’s sources (Twitter link).
A buyout would have resulted in the loss of Middleton’s Bird rights, which transferred when he was acquired from Washington at the trade deadline. Although Middleton is almost certain to get a sharply reduced salary next season, having his Bird rights in place could help him land a contract above the veteran’s minimum.
With a small number of teams possessing cap space for the offseason, Middleton could have value in a potential sign-and-trade deal, suggests Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link).
Middleton, 34, has been productive with Dallas in his seven games since the deal, averaging 13.9 PPG with .485/.364/.893 shooting numbers. He’s made five starts and is logging 24 minutes per night.
Southwest Notes: Middleton, Mavs, Spurs, J. Smith
Prior to Friday’s loss vs. Memphis, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd confirmed that Khris Middleton is a buyout candidate ahead of Sunday’s deadline to be waived by one team and remain eligible to appear in the postseason for another club, per Ron Harrod Jr. of DLLS Mavs (Twitter video link).
“That’s up to Khris,” Kidd said. “We support whatever decision he makes if he’s going to stay or if he’s gonna get bought out. But I think he’s gotta make that decision here pretty quick.”
As reported by Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Middleton is evaluating whether to finish out his expiring contract with Dallas or to reach a buyout agreement to sign with a playoff team. The Nuggets and Spurs are said to be among the teams with interest in the 34-year-old small forward.
According to Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com, NBA personnel have been keeping close tabs on Middleton since he was traded to the Mavericks ahead of this month’s deadline. One scout likes what he’s seen of the 14-year veteran, while an anonymous executive said Middleton might be better off staying with Dallas — the three-time All-Star would forfeit his Bird rights if he agrees to a buyout.
“His numbers have been down quite a bit — and his efficiency never recovered with the Wizards,” the executive told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “He might be best off playing this season out in Dallas where they’re letting him play his game and build some momentum for himself going into free agency. He’s going to get minutes and touches in Dallas. That may not be consistent on a contender. He could join a contender in the summer. I understand the appeal of joining a contender now, though.”
That same front office employee told Afseth that Middleton could help the Mavericks, but it’s not a straightforward situation.
“When he’s in a rhythm, he’s going to help a team win games. That may hurt the Mavericks’ chances of maximizing draft position now,” the executive said. “But he’s a great locker room guy. He’s genuine about helping younger teammates. That’s a good veteran to have on your team. He’d be a piece that could help them when Kyrie Irving is healthy and ready to go next season. You want vets like [Middleton] around Cooper Flagg.”
Here’s more from the Southwest:
- During Thursday’s game vs. Sacramento, Mavericks CEO Rick Welts joined the team’s broadcast and said governor Patrick Dumont decided not to raise ticket prices for 2026/27 because the Mavs didn’t meet expectations, according to Christian Clark of The Athletic. “It was one of the strangest meetings I’ve been in in my 48 years in the league, where you sit down with the owner,” Welts said. “The staff has done two months of work to figure out where tickets might be underpriced. Patrick preempted the conversation before it got started and said, ‘Look, we didn’t deliver this year. We didn’t deliver on the team as expected. We’re not going to raise one ticket price this year.’ A popular decision. The right one as well.”
- Thursday’s win at Brooklyn marked the Spurs‘ 11th consecutive victory, writes Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News. The Spurs went undefeated in February, the third time the team has had an unblemished month. “It feels like the players are finding different ways to win,” head coach Mitch Johnson said. “That’s a sign of growth.” Jared Weiss of The Athletic takes a closer look at San Antonio’s undefeated month, writing that a variety of players contributed on a game-to-game basis. The Spurs have also found ways to win even when they aren’t playing their best. “Does (the undefeated month) mean it was perfect? Not at all,” Victor Wembanyama said. “But looking back, it’s never really perfect. So it’s pretty satisfying.”
- Fourth-year Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. was sidelined for Saturday’s game in Miami and will miss Monday’s game at Washington as well, per Varun Shankar of The Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Smith, who sprained his right ankle in Thursday’s comeback win in Orlando, is targeting next Thursday against Golden State for his return to the court, Shankar adds.
Buyout Market Rumors: Anthony, Middleton, Ball, D-Lo, Boucher
Veteran guard Cole Anthony has remained in limbo since being acquired by the Suns at this month’s trade deadline, having continued to hold a spot on Phoenix’s 15-man roster despite being away from the team. Reporting prior to the All-Star break indicated Anthony would likely be waived, but that still hasn’t happened. According to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, head coach Jordan Ott suggested on Thursday that the delay may be related to depth concerns in the Suns’ backcourt.
“It’s still the same,” Ott said of Anthony’s situation. “There hasn’t been much change, but we have had injuries and that’s kind of where it’s at. That’s why there hasn’t been much change, but that’s why it’s not completely out. We’ll continue to just stay in touch with his people and move this thing forward.”
Friday is the first of four days off for the Suns, and Devin Booker (hip strain) appears likely to return after that break, either on Tuesday in Sacramento or Thursday vs. Chicago, tweets John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7. If Phoenix is confident in where Booker’s at in his recovery, it’s possible we could see Anthony let go on or before Sunday, which is the final day a player can be waived and retain his playoff eligibility for a new team.
[UPDATE: Anthony has been waived.]
If Anthony is cut, it would open up a spot for the Suns to promote two-way player Jamaree Bouyea to the standard roster. The club could then back-fill Bouyea’s two-way slot before next Wednesday’s deadline for two-way signings.
Here are a few more rumors related to the NBA’s buyout market:
- In addition to Denver, the Spurs are among the teams with interest in Mavericks forward Khris Middleton, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Dallas has reportedly given Middleton the option of negotiating a buyout or sticking with the Mavs for the rest of the season — he figures to make that decision within the next 48 hours or so.
- Although the Warriors, Nuggets, and other teams has some interest in Lonzo Ball after he was waived earlier this month, concerns about the guard’s knee dissuaded those potential suitors from moving forward on a deal with the veteran point guard, Siegel reports, adding that nothing is imminent on that front.
- Although D’Angelo Russell wasn’t required to report to the Wizards after being included in the Anthony Davis trade and has been viewed as a potential buyout candidate, there has been little interest around the league in the point guard, per Siegel. Russell’s contract includes a $5.97MM player option for 2026/27 that Washington would probably want to eliminate – or at least significantly reduce – as part of any buyout agreement, whereas D-Lo presumably wouldn’t want to give up that guaranteed money without a favorable deal lined up elsewhere. According to Siegel, Russell could end up simply finishing the season with the Wizards.
- Many league personnel believe Chris Boucher would like to reunite with the Raptors after being waived by Utah earlier this month, but it’s unclear whether Toronto reciprocates that interest, says Siegel.
Nuggets Among Teams Interested In Mavs’ Khris Middleton
Veteran small forward Khris Middleton tells Marc Stein of The Stein Line he’s still evaluating his options ahead of Sunday’s deadline to be waived by one team and remain eligible to appear in the postseason for another club (Twitter links).
According to Stein, Middleton’s is considering whether he wants to stay with the Mavericks for the rest of the season or reach a buyout agreement with Dallas in order to sign with a playoff team. The Nuggets are among the teams with interest in the 34-year-old, league sources tell Stein.
Middleton stressed to Stein that he’s “grateful for the warm welcome he’s received in Dallas.” As Stein reported on Tuesday, the Mavs have essentially left the buyout decision up to Middleton and his camp and would happily retain him for the remainder of the season if he opts to go that route.
Bennett Durando of The Denver Post confirms (via Twitter) that the Nuggets are intrigued by Middleton, adding that Denver also showed interest in Kyle Anderson, who will sign with the Timberwolves after a buyout with Memphis. The Nuggets are searching for size on the wing and ball-handling, Durando reports.
Middleton, who has dealt with injuries in recent years, is no longer the same player who earned All-Star berths three times in four years from 2019-22, but he has performed pretty well since he arrived in Dallas in the Anthony Davis trade. In 39 total games this season, Middleton has averaged 10.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 24.2 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .441/.336/.851.
In the event of a buyout, Middleton would be ineligible to sign with Cleveland, Golden State, or New York, since clubs operating over either tax apron aren’t permitted to sign a player waived during the season who had been earning more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($14.1MM). Middleton’s $33.3MM expiring salary far exceeds that figure.
It’s also worth noting that Middleton would forfeit his Bird rights if he agrees to a buyout. While he’ll certainly have to take a pay cut this summer either way, retaining those Bird rights would likely put him in a better position to avoid settling for the veteran’s minimum or something close to it.
Stein’s Latest: Middleton, Irving, Sabonis, Porzingis
Will veteran forward Khris Middleton seek a buyout in the coming days? According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link), the Mavericks have essentially left that decision up to Middleton and his camp and would be open to either negotiating the 34-year-old’s release or hanging onto him for the rest of the season.
Middleton, who has dealt with injuries in recent years, is no longer the same player who earned All-Star berths three times in four years from 2019-22, but he has performed pretty well since arriving in Dallas. His performance in Sunday’s win over Indiana – 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting, seven assists, and seven rebounds – was arguably his best of the season.
As Stein writes, the Mavericks have conveyed to Middleton that they’ll be in need of shooting heading into this offseason, so if he sticks around, it’s possible the relationship between the two sides could extend beyond 2025/26. If Middleton instead decides to pursue a buyout, he would want to do so sooner rather than later, since players waived after March 1 don’t retain their playoff eligibility with a new team.
In the event of a buyout, the three-time All-Star would be ineligible to sign with Cleveland, Golden State, or New York, since clubs operating over either tax apron aren’t permitted to sign a player waived during the season who had been earning more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($14.1MM). Middleton’s $33.3MM expiring salary far exceeds that figure.
It’s also worth noting that Middleton would forfeit his Bird rights if he agrees to a buyout. While he’ll certainly have to take a pay cut this summer either way, retaining those Bird rights would likely put him in a better position to avoid settling for the veteran’s minimum or something close to it.
Here are a few more items of interest from Stein:
- Although Kyrie Irving won’t return from his torn ACL for the Mavericks until the fall, the club is hopeful that the star guard will be able to take part in at least one or two full-speed practices before the end of this season, Stein writes. Teams typically don’t practice in full during the season unless they have multiple consecutive days off — that will be the case for Dallas on March 19-20, March 28-29, and April 1-2.
- The Kings entertained trading Domantas Sabonis prior to February’s trade deadline, but it’s not considered a lock that they’ll do so again this summer, a source tells Stein. Sacramento’s interest in an offseason Sabonis deal could hinge in large part on where the team lands in the draft lottery and which prospect they select with that pick, Stein explains. Toronto and Washington were among the teams linked to Sabonis earlier this season, though the Wizards pivoted to acquiring Anthony Davis. It’s possible the Raptors would circle back on the Kings big man this offseason if he’s made available again.
- The Warriors‘ hope when they traded for Kristaps Porzingis at the deadline, according to Stein, was that he’d “click” with the team and its medical staff and would be willing to re-sign with Golden State at a more team-friendly price once his current $30.7MM contract expires. However, Porzingis’ availability remains an ongoing concern as he deals with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), creating uncertainty about his future in the Bay Area beyond this season.
Southwest Notes: Irving, Wembanyama, Jordan, Middleton
The Mavericks recently announced that Kyrie Irving would miss the rest of the 2025/26 season, and according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News, the decision was the right one, both for Irving’s health and the team’s long-term success.
Curtis notes that by the time Irving returns to play, nearly 600 days will have elapsed from the time of his last on-court action. While that time off will make it difficult to immediately recapture his previous form, it should give the veteran guard ample time to make sure that his knee is fully healthy before diving into the next era of Mavericks basketball.
Irving has undergone multiple surgeries on his left knee over the years, and given his age and the mileage he has accumulated over his 15-year career, there’s likely additional concern about the possibility of re-injuring the knee should he return too soon.
The Mavs will also be looking to maximize their draft position this summer to add another high-end talent to the duo of Irving and star rookie Cooper Flagg. This will be the last year Dallas controls its own first-round pick until 2031.
Curtis notes that it would have been useful for the team’s two cornerstones to get some time to start building their chemistry, but playing things safe on the injury and lottery fronts should yield even higher benefits over time.
“I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season,” Irving said. “The belief and drive I have inside only grows.”
We have more from around the Southwest Division:
- Victor Wembanyama had an outsized impact on the All-Star game this year, adding a sense of intensity and competitiveness to what is often a less-than-enthusiastic affair. Next, the Spurs‘ star may have his sights set on another event: the Slam Dunk Contest. “I’ll be in the dunk contest one day,” he said after Saturday’s San Antonio victory in which he unleashed a two-handed windmill dunk (Twitter video link via Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports).
- DeAndre Jordan hadn’t played for the Pelicans since October 29 heading into Saturday’s contest against the Sixers. Against Philadelphia, he logged over 31 minutes in a starting role, recording 15 rebounds (five of them offensive) and four blocks. In an article for NOLA.com, Rod Walker called it a “turn back the clock” performance. The blocks total was the highest Jordan has recorded since the 2020/21 season. “I was extremely excited,” Jordan said. “Anytime you can go out there and compete in this league, it’s a gift. It was cool to be able to go out there and be able to play.” After the game, Jordan said he was craving two things: wine and ice.
- Khris Middleton had his best scoring game of the season on Sunday for the Mavericks, putting up 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting while adding seven rebounds and seven assists in a five-point victory over the Pacers. After the game, coach Jason Kidd effusively praised the veteran wing. “A lot of times, you don’t understand how tall he is so he can create space with his height, and mid-range game,” Kidd said, per Curtis (Twitter link). “He can always get his shot off. His ability to playmate, being able to run an offense with him. We got guys layups and wide open shots. He was really good tonight.” Middleton has stepped up with Flagg out, having also scored 18 points in Friday’s loss to the Wolves.
Mavericks Notes: Cuban, Ownership, New Arena, Middleton
After reporting on Wednesday that the Dumont and Adelson families have no interest in selling the Mavericks back to Mark Cuban, Marc Stein of The Stein Line (subscription required) sheds some light on Cuban’s diminishing role with the franchise. Cuban was brought back to the inner circle of decision makers after former general manager Nico Harrison was fired in November, but sources tell Stein that his influence has already started to wane.
Co-interim GMs Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley were solely responsible for the decision to trade Anthony Davis to Washington last week, according to Stein. He also hears that Riccardi addressed the players on Saturday to explain the trade deadline moves and set expectations for the remainder of the season.
Stein notes that the 2023 sale agreement gives the Dumonts and Adelsons an option — believed to be in effect through December of 2027 — to buy more of Cuban’s shares in the franchise and reduce his minority stake from 27% to as low as 7%. Stein adds that the families’ strong public denial of sale rumors could be interpreted as a message to Cuban to be more careful in his public comments.
Cuban told Stein on Wednesday that he hasn’t talked with team governor Patrick Dumont recently, but stated that he has received calls from “individuals, groups, financial people, you name it” who expressed interest in getting involved if the opportunity arises to repurchase the team.
There’s more from Dallas:
- It’s unlikely that the Adelsons would consider selling the Mavericks at any price, writes Kevin Sherrington of The Dallas Morning News (subscription required). Although they recognize it could take several years, the family bought the team with the vision of linking it to their casino business and they want to be ready if gambling is ever legalized in Texas.
- The Mavericks have reached an agreement with CAA Sports to handle their commercial strategy for a planned new arena, the team announced in a press release. The effort will focus on finding “world class brands” for naming rights and other opportunities. “We have an ambitious vision for the future of the Dallas Mavericks,” CEO Rick Welts said. “The opportunity ahead of us is significant. CAA Sports brings global expertise, deep industry relationships and a strong track record of delivering transformational partnerships for top echelon sports properties. They are the right teammate as we move into this next chapter.”
- There’s been speculation that Khris Middleton may be a buyout candidate after being acquired from Washington in the Davis deal, but coach Jason Kidd likes having him on the roster, per Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. Middleton came off the bench to contribute 13 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes on Tuesday in his Mavericks debut. “Some would say he was a throw-in,” said Kidd, who formerly coached Middleton in Milwaukee. “He’s a lot bigger than you think. He can post. He can shoot it. For me, it was exciting to be able to work with Khris early on in his basketball journey. He did all the hard work. When we got him, he was our best player at the time. Giannis (Antetokounmpo) not that far behind.”
Southwest Notes: Murray, Mavs, Middleton, Jones, Pippen
There’s still no timeline for Dejounte Murray‘s return to action following last season’s Achilles tear, but the Pelicans guard has returned to practice in a limited capacity, according to head coach James Borrego (Twitter video link). Borrego told reporters on Monday that Murray’s activity should ramp up in the coming days and the team will have a better idea of a timetable for the veteran guard after the All-Star break.
“It’s just great having him out there. I’m so proud of him,” Borrego said. “I mean, what a devastating injury, but the way he’s handle it, the way he’s attacked it, he deserves a ton of credit. … It’s just great to have him back out there. You can feel his presence, his leadership, his confidence. It’s a massive boost for this organization.”
Murray, who was traded from Atlanta to New Orleans during the 2024 offseason, appeared in just 31 games for his new team before his season came to an early end. When he’s ready to play again, he’ll be a returning to a new-look Pelicans backcourt that has lost CJ McCollum and Jose Alvarado and added Jordan Poole and Jeremiah Fears since the last time he suited up.
Here’s more from across the Southwest:
- While the Mavericks signaled at the trade deadline that they’re pivoting to build around Cooper Flagg, the rookie forward isn’t the only keeper on the current roster. Co-interim general manager Matt Riccardi said after the trade deadline that he thinks wings Naji Marshall and Max Christie fit “perfectly” alongside Flagg, according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News (subscription required). “We really like them as players,” Riccardi said. “We think they fit really well around Cooper, but most importantly, those guys embody what we want in the organization. We love what they bring to the table, both on and off the court, and their personalities. They’re Dallas Maverick players.”
- New Mavericks forward Khris Middleton has been viewed as a potential buyout candidate after being sent from Washington to Dallas for salary-matching purposes in the Anthony Davis trade. However, he told reporters – including Curtis (Twitter video link) – on Tuesday that he hasn’t broached that subject with the team and doesn’t necessarily plan to. “Nah, not yet,” Middleteon said when asked if he’s spoken to management about what he wants for the rest of the season. “We haven’t got to that point. Don’t know that we will. But my focus right now is just playing basketball.”
- League sources tell Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal that the Mavericks made a point to add Tyus Jones at the trade deadline because they feel like his experience organizing an offense and handling the ball will help ease the workload on the rest of the roster. As Afseth explains, the front office is hoping that Jones will stabilize the offense, not transform it.
- Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. appeared in 79 games last season, but he was never at 100%. As Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal writes, Pippen was plagued for more than three years by left toe pain that never went away. After various treatment options failed, the guard underwent a sesamoidectomy in October that delayed his season debut until last Friday. Pippen, who has 24 points, 10 assists, five steals, and a .643/.667/1.000 shooting line in his first two games back, is optimistic that the issue is – at long last – behind him. “I feel like I’m finally healthy,” he said. “… I feel way better. I’m able to run up and down the court. I can run around without pain. I can push off my toe and and bend my toe. Before, I wasn’t able to get in a lunge position. I really couldn’t put weight on my foot.”