Overview
- Multiple outlets reported Tuesday night that Middleton agreed to a three‑year, $17.6 million sign‑and‑trade that sends him from the Dallas Mavericks back to the Washington Wizards.
- As part of the consolidated six‑team transaction, the Wizards are sending D'Angelo Russell plus future second‑round assets to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to ESPN and follow‑up coverage.
- The package folded together earlier, separate sign‑and‑trades — including moves involving John Collins, Isaiah Stewart, Santi Aldama and Caris LeVert — so teams could meet salary‑matching rules without using larger traded‑player exceptions.
- Reporting cites that Middleton’s contract follows sign‑and‑trade rules with the first year fully guaranteed, the second partially guaranteed and the third non‑guaranteed, and that teams used expiring trade exceptions to set starter salaries and preserve cap tools.
- Washington plans to use Middleton as a veteran, off‑the‑bench scorer and mentor to its young wings rather than as a primary starter, a move meant to protect minutes for prospects such as No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa.