The Dallas Mavericks didn’t just make a trade - they made a statement.
In a bold, multi-team deal with the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets, the Mavericks reshaped their roster and retooled their rotation, bringing in Khris Middleton, Tyus Jones, Marvin Bagley III, and AJ Johnson. They also picked up two future first-round picks and three second-rounders, sending out Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Danté Exum in the process.
Now, the new faces are expected to arrive in Dallas in time for a possible debut this weekend. According to co-interim GM Matt Riccardi, the Mavericks are wasting no time getting their new pieces integrated.
“They’re on their way here tomorrow morning,” Riccardi said. “We’ll go through physicals and the normal onboarding process, and if everything goes smoothly with travel, we’re hoping to get them ready to go for the game Saturday night.”
That would set the stage for Middleton, Jones, Bagley, and Johnson to suit up against the San Antonio Spurs - and give fans their first look at a Mavericks team that’s suddenly taken on a new identity.
Khris Middleton: A Proven Winner With a Familiar Face
Let’s start with the headliner. Khris Middleton isn’t just a name - he’s a resume. A three-time All-Star, NBA champion, and one of the most consistent two-way wings in the league over the past decade, Middleton brings a level of professionalism and playoff experience that Dallas has been craving.
He’s logged over 800 games in his 14-year career, averaging 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting nearly 46% from the field and 38.5% from deep. But beyond the numbers, Middleton brings a steadying presence - the kind that can help shape a locker room and elevate a young core.
There’s also familiarity here. Head coach Jason Kidd coached Middleton during his time in Milwaukee from 2014 to 2018, and that pre-existing relationship could help accelerate his fit into the Mavericks’ system.
“Chris is the consummate pro and brings championship experience,” Riccardi said.
As the Mavericks continue to build around Cooper Flagg, Middleton becomes more than just a scoring option - he’s a tone-setter. A player who knows what it takes to win at the highest level and isn’t afraid to lead by example.
Tyus Jones: The Floor General Dallas Needed
If Middleton brings the pedigree, Tyus Jones brings the poise.
Jones isn’t flashy, but he’s exactly what Dallas needed - a true point guard who can manage the game, organize the offense, and take care of the basketball like few others in the league. He’s led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio for six straight seasons, setting a new single-season record last year at 7.35 - and he’s on pace to break it again.
That kind of efficiency matters, especially for a team trying to ease the offensive burden on a young star like Flagg.
“Tyus is a really good natural point guard,” Riccardi said. “He’s an organizer.
He’s a game manager. He’s different from what we currently have on the roster.”
Michael Finley echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how crucial high-level guard play is in today’s NBA.
“The less pressure we can put on Cooper offensively, the better it is for him and for the entire team,” Finley said.
Jones may not fill up the highlight reels, but he makes the right reads, hits the open man, and rarely turns the ball over. For a Mavericks team looking to play smarter, more controlled basketball, he’s a perfect fit.
Marvin Bagley III: Frontcourt Depth With Upside
Marvin Bagley III comes to Dallas with something to prove - and the tools to do it.
The former No. 2 overall pick has bounced around a bit, but he’s still just 27 and brings size, athleticism, and scoring punch to a frontcourt that needed some extra juice. Bagley’s career averages - 11.8 points and 6.4 rebounds on 52.7% shooting - show a player who can produce when given the opportunity.
He’s played for four different teams - Sacramento, Detroit, Washington, and Memphis - and now lands in Dallas as a rotation-ready big who can complement the Mavericks’ existing frontcourt pieces.
“Marvin has been playing really well,” Riccardi said, pointing to the forward’s recent form.
For Dallas, Bagley adds a different look - a mobile, left-handed big who can finish around the rim, crash the glass, and run the floor. He might not be a centerpiece, but he’s a valuable piece in a league that prizes versatility in the frontcourt.
AJ Johnson: A Developmental Swing With Long-Term Potential
AJ Johnson is the wild card in this deal - a 21-year-old guard with intriguing upside and room to grow.
He’s averaged modest numbers so far - 5.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in just under 16 minutes per game - but Dallas sees something more. The kind of athleticism and feel that could blossom in the right environment.
“AJ is a 21-year-old with high upside who’s just scratching the surface,” Riccardi said.
With veterans like Middleton and Jones in the locker room, Johnson will have the chance to learn, develop, and carve out a role alongside Dallas’ young core. It’s a long-term play, but one that could pay dividends down the line.
A Clear Direction - and a Fresh Start
For the Mavericks, this trade wasn’t just about talent - it was about identity.
“We decided, as an organization - front office and management - that we needed to do something to bring back the winning culture here in Dallas,” Finley said. “We thought that doing the move that we did puts us back in that conversation.”
This isn’t a rebuild. It’s a retool with purpose. The Mavericks added experience, stability, and long-term potential in one fell swoop, while positioning themselves to compete now and build for the future.
If all goes according to plan, Saturday night could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Dallas - one defined by smarter basketball, stronger leadership, and a clearer path forward.