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Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets just got a potentially massive late-season boost, they’ve been linked to NBA champion Khris Middleton as a possible buyout-market addition before the league’s playoff-eligibility deadline.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported Middleton told him he’s “still weighing his options” ahead of Sunday’s deadline to pursue a buyout, deciding whether to finish the season with the Dallas Mavericks or join a playoff team. Stein added that league sources say Denver and other playoff teams have shown interest.
This is time-sensitive because the waive/buyout cutoff to be playoff-eligible for a new team is coming Sunday (March 1), per multiple reports referencing the NBA’s deadline.
Key Points
- Middleton is deciding between staying in Dallas or seeking a buyout before Sunday’s playoff-eligibility deadline.
- Stein says Denver is among the teams with interest if he hits the market.
- Denver’s beat reporting has also connected the Nuggets to buyout forward depth, with Middleton among the names.
Khris Middleton’s Buyout Clock: What Sunday’s Deadline Really Means
Here’s the mechanic that matters: even if a team wants to add Middleton, he generally must be waived by the deadline to be eligible to play for a new team in the postseason. That’s why Stein framed the decision as something Middleton is weighing right now, and why Dallas’ stance matters.
Stein also reported that Middleton stressed he’s been grateful for how Dallas has welcomed him, and that the Mavericks would “work with him” if he seeks a buyout before the deadline.
If Middleton isn’t waived by Sunday, he could still be waived later, but that typically removes playoff eligibility with a new team, which would drastically reduce the appeal for contenders.
Why Khris Middleton Makes Sense for Nikola Jokic and Denver’s Rotation
If Middleton becomes available, the Nuggets’ interest is easy to understand: he’s a big wing with a history as a playoff shot-maker and secondary creator, plus championship pedigree. He holds career averages of 16.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, while shooting 46% from the field and 39% from deep. He won an NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
Denver’s need is also being framed externally as forward depth on the buyout market, with Denver Post reporter Bennett Durando posting that the Nuggets have been pursuing that type of help, and that Middleton is one of the names tied to that search.
In practical terms, a Middleton signing would most likely:
- give Denver another playoff-caliber wing who can play next to Jokic without bogging down spacing,
- allow the Nuggets to stabilize second-unit scoring when Jokic sits (lineups vary, but Denver has historically hunted reliable half-court offense in those minutes),
- potentially compress minutes for Cam Johnson and Peyton Watson (when healthy)] if Middleton earns a real role quickly.
Without assuming any specific Denver depth chart moves here, but the type of player Middleton is lines up with what contenders chase at this point of the season: a wing who can survive defensively and punish teams for overloading on the star.
What It Would Take: Roster Spot, Contract Type, and Expectations
If Middleton hits the market, this is typically a minimum-contract signing at this stage (exact figures depend on years of service and team cap/tax position. Denver would also need a roster spot (or to create one) to complete the move.
And while the name is huge, expectations should be realistic: this would likely be about 15-22 playoff minutes (matchups dependent), not “saving” the roster. The key question is whether Middleton’s health and timing allow him to ramp up fast enough to matter in April and May.
Erik Anderson is an award-winning sports journalist covering the NBA, MLB and NFL for Heavy.com. He also focuses on the trading card market. His work has appeared in nationally-recognized outlets including The New York Times, Associated Press , USA Today, and ESPN. More about Erik Anderson
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