Washington reacquired Khris Middleton on a low-cost contract while sending D'Angelo Russell and future second-round value through a six-team deal.
Washington acquired Khris Middleton from Dallas on a three-year, $17.6 million sign-and-trade contract and also received a Dallas 2033 second-round selection. Middleton brought familiarity and veteran skill, but at nearly 35 his availability and long-term production were legitimate uncertainties. This transaction combined several previously negotiated exchanges into one official six-team completion.
The Mavericks received Santi Aldama from Memphis, Marcus Sasser from Detroit and the draft rights to Tarik Biberović. In return Dallas surrendered AJ Johnson, future draft capital and Middleton’s outgoing contract. The franchise was betting that Aldama’s established forward versatility and younger guard depth would better suit the next roster than retaining those picks and salary pieces.
The Grizzlies acquired AJ Johnson, D’Angelo Russell and Isaiah Stewart, along with Dallas and Washington second-round selections, a top-20-protected Dallas first in 2030 and additional later swap rights. That is a broad package, not an empty intermediary role. Memphis exchanged Aldama and other positions for more players and several ways to gain future value.
Detroit acquired John Collins, Gary Harris, Taurean Prince and three later second-round picks. Milwaukee received Caris LeVert and two Detroit second-rounders, while the Clippers obtained a protected 2028 second-round selection. Those outcomes make the transaction genuinely six-sided. Assessing only Washington’s Middleton return would erase most of the exchanged roster and draft value.
Insufficient Evidence for a settled six-team winner. The official agreement confirms all six clubs’ player and draft packages, but multiple young players, future protected picks and cap outcomes remain untested. Washington, Dallas, Memphis, Detroit, Milwaukee and the Clippers each acquired identifiable value whose ultimate result will require later review.