Khris Middleton to remain with Mavericks, declines buyout

Khris Middleton is staying put.

The veteran forward has decided not to pursue a buyout and will finish the season with the  Mavericks, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Middleton would have needed to finalize a buyout by Sunday to remain eligible for the postseason with another team. Dallas had indicated it was willing to negotiate on his $33.3 million expiring contract if that was his preference.

The Nuggets and Spurs were among the teams linked to Middleton in recent days. However, there was reported pessimism in Denver about prying him away.

A buyout would have cost Middleton his Bird rights, which transferred to Dallas in the trade from Washington. Retaining those rights could allow the Mavericks to exceed the cap to re-sign him this summer.

Because of apron restrictions, teams such as the Cavaliers, Warriors and Knicks would not have been permitted to sign him if waived.

Middleton, 34, has averaged 13.9 points in seven games with Dallas, shooting 48.5 percent from the field while logging 24 minutes per night.