Wizards To Sign Khris Middleton, Trade D’Angelo Russell To Grizzlies
The Washington Wizards have brought back Khris Middleton via a sign-and-trade arrangement and sent D'Angelo Russell to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Wizards To Sign Khris Middleton, Trade D’Angelo Russell To Grizzlies
The Washington Wizards are bringing veteran forward Khris Middleton back to the organization through a complex sign-and-trade arrangement. Middleton has agreed to a three-year contract worth $17.6 million, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
The move is part of a larger six-team transaction involving the Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, and Milwaukee Bucks. Charania reported that the deal incorporates previously agreed-upon moves involving Caris LeVert, Gary Harris, Isaiah Stewart, Taurean Prince, John Collins, and Santi Aldama.
As part of the exchange, Washington is trading guard D'Angelo Russell to the Memphis Grizzlies. To complete the deal, the Wizards are sending Memphis a 2033 second-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick originally owned by the Lakers. Washington is expected to receive a 2033 second-round pick from Dallas.
Russell's departure clears the Wizards' backcourt, which is led by Trae Young. While Russell had opted into a player option last month worth $6 million — reported as $5.97 million by other sources — he never reported to Washington after being acquired in a midseason trade for Anthony Davis. He was not expected to return for the 2026-27 season.
Middleton, a three-time All-Star who will turn 35 in August, is returning to a team he has played for twice recently. He first arrived in Washington during the 2024-25 season via a trade that sent Kyle Kuzma to the Milwaukee Bucks. During that stint, he started all 14 games he played, averaging 3.7 rebounds and 10.7 points. In the 2025-26 season, he started in 34 available games, averaging 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds.
His tenure was briefly interrupted when Washington traded him to the Mavericks at the February trade deadline as part of the package for Anthony Davis. In 29 appearances for Dallas, Middleton averaged 10 points while shooting 39% from three. Across 63 total appearances for both Dallas and Washington last season, his averages were 10.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 22.8 minutes per game.
The financial structure of Middleton's new deal reflects his veteran status and recent history of ankle and knee injuries. Josh Robbins of The Athletic reported that the second year of the contract is expected to be partially guaranteed, and the third season is non-guaranteed.
Washington was able to absorb Middleton using a $13.4 million trade exception that is set to expire on July 9. Meanwhile, the Mavericks created a $5.6 million trade exception through the move.
Middleton joins a restructured Wizards roster featuring Anthony Davis, Trae Young, and AJ Dybansta, the No. 1 overall pick from 2026. Before his time in Washington and Dallas, Middleton spent nearly 12 years with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he helped the team win an NBA championship in 2021, though some reports attribute the title to 2019.
The team continues to refine its depth. On Tuesday, the Wizards signed second-round pick Felix Okpara, filling the final two-way spot for 2026-27 alongside Julian Reese and Jamir Watkins. One roster spot remains vacant, leaving the organization room for one more free agency addition.
