Overview
- Middleton agreed Tuesday night to a three-year, $17.6 million contract with the Washington Wizards delivered via a sign-and-trade from the Dallas Mavericks.
- The agreement was folded into a six-team transaction involving the Mavericks, Wizards, Clippers, Pistons, Grizzlies and Bucks to consolidate previously reported moves into a single deal.
- As part of the package the Wizards are sending D'Angelo Russell plus future second-round pick assets and a pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies to clear roster and salary space.
- Middleton's contract carries a fully guaranteed first year, a partially guaranteed second year and a non-guaranteed third year, reflecting a veteran, role-player salary structure.
- Teams relied on trade exceptions, including a Washington exception that is expiring, to make salaries fit and the move returns a veteran leader who averaged about 10 points per game last season and will serve as a bench/mentoring wing.