Here he comes! Potential to acquire a full All-Star shooter outright! Could impact the NBA championship landscape.

Ahead of this year's trade deadline, the Mavericks traded Davis, Russell, Hardy, and Exum to the Wizards for Middleton, AJ Johnson, Brannum, Bagley, two first-round picks, and three second-round picks.

Up to now, Middleton has appeared in five games for the Mavericks, starting three, averaging 23 minutes per game, contributing 14 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, with shooting percentages of 49%, 35.3%, and 88.9%.

According to renowned reporter Stein,Middleton will decide for himself whether to stay with the Mavericks or opt for a buyout and leave.

This guy is in the final year of his contract this season, earning $33.3 million.

If Middleton, a three-time All-Star, enters the buyout market, multiple playoff-caliber teams would pursue him, including the Pistons, who currently lead the Eastern Conference with a 42-14 record.

Almost simultaneously,a Rockets media member tweeted urging Houston to act quickly on Middleton as well.

So far this season, the Rockets hold a 35-21 record, ranking third in the Western Conference. They average 30.8 three-point attempts per game, second to last in the league, and make 11.4 threes per game, ranking 26th overall.

Middleton was born on August 12, 1991. Standing 2.01 meters tall with a 2.10-meter wingspan, he is a versatile wing and guard. Selected 9th in the 12th pick of the second round, he has career regular-season averages of 38.5% shooting and 1.8 three-pointers per game, while in the playoffs, he shoots 39% and averages 2.5 threes per game. He played a key role in the Bucks' 2020-21 championship run.

In summary, although Middleton is no longer at his peak, he remains an immediately impactful player with championship experience, making him highly sought after by playoff teams. Especially in today's trade market, he is considered the top prize.

The Mavericks currently stand at 21-36, ranked 12th in the West, and have essentially entered a rebuilding phase focusing on youth. Naturally, they won’t keep a veteran like Middleton but have shown him the utmost respect as described above.