As the Dallas Mavericks navigate a season full of change and recalibration, Khris Middleton is stepping into a role that goes well beyond what shows up on the stat sheet. The three-time All-Star and NBA champion is bringing something this young Mavs squad needs just as much as points or assists - perspective, poise, and a steady veteran presence.
Middleton took part in his first shootaround with the team Monday morning in Phoenix, marking another step in what’s been a rapid-fire transition since the trade deadline. And while the pace of change has been fast, Middleton’s approach has been anything but rushed.
“It’s been great,” Middleton said. “During the season when you get traded, things move fast, so just trying to get accustomed to everything - how to move around, practice. This was my first shootaround, so just trying to get accustomed to having good things here.”
That’s been the tone of Middleton’s early days in Dallas - observe first, learn the system, find his rhythm, and let the rest come naturally.
A Team in Transition - and a Vet Who Gets It
From the outside looking in, Middleton saw a team still finding its footing after significant roster turnover - most notably the blockbuster move that sent Luka Dončić out and shifted the franchise’s focus toward a younger core.
“A team trying to figure it out,” Middleton said. “After everything that happened last year, they’re reshifting and figuring out the future.
Playing against them was tough. Cooper Flagg has been playing great all year.
Everybody here works hard and is trying to establish themselves in the league. I’m coming in trying to be a good piece.”
That’s the kind of self-awareness that makes Middleton such a valuable addition. He’s not here to dominate the ball or dictate the locker room. He’s here to complement, to steady, and to help elevate a team still carving out its identity.
Texas Roots, NBA Readiness
Middleton’s calm, measured approach wasn’t built overnight. It traces back to his college days at Texas A&M, where he spent three seasons sharpening his game and preparing for the league.
“It was fun,” Middleton said of his time in College Station. “Baseball, basketball - definitely a different style than it is now, I think.
A little slower, a lot more physical. It was fun.
I think it got me ready for what I wanted to eventually do. My time at A&M was great.
Three years there, I made the tournament twice.”
That foundation helped prepare him for the ups and downs of a long NBA career - including the often jarring reality of being traded midseason. But for Middleton, who has now played over a decade in the league, the key is keeping perspective and staying grounded.
Familiar Faces, Familiar Places
Middleton isn’t walking into Dallas completely cold. He’s leaned on the insight of his cousin, Josh Powell - a former Maverick himself - for a sense of what to expect.
“I’ve had a chance to talk to him,” Middleton said. “He was very high on his time in Dallas - the organization, how they treated the players, the city of Dallas, how great that city is.
So I’m excited. I used to spend a lot of time there while I was in college, so it’ll be fun to get back there a little bit more.”
And Powell’s influence goes deeper than just geography. He was one of the early mentors who helped shape Middleton’s approach to the game and to life in the league.
“Just his experience,” Middleton said. “He caught me at an early age where he was able to teach me a lot - the way he saw the game, the way he approached the game, how to be professional on and off the court. He was very important in how my career turned out and the things I was able to do.”
Letting the Fit Find Itself
Middleton isn’t walking in with expectations about minutes or usage. He knows that finding his place in a new system takes time - and more importantly, trust.
“I’m still trying to learn,” he said. “I had one practice with them yesterday.
I practiced pretty well, but I think it all depends on the game. I’ll learn more as things go on - where I could fit in, how I could help, and how they could help me.”
As for long-term plans? Middleton’s not looking that far ahead just yet.
“No, not yet,” he said when asked if there had been any talks about his future beyond this season. “We haven’t gotten to that point. My focus right now is just playing.”
That mindset - staying present, staying patient - mirrors what he preaches to younger players learning to navigate the league.
“You learn a lot during the season - about yourself and about the team,” Middleton said. “The more you can learn about yourself during the season, the better you’re going to play off that.”
Leading Without Taking Over
Middleton’s leadership style isn’t about control. It’s about accountability, honesty, and letting growth happen organically. That philosophy was shaped in part by Jason Kidd, now his head coach in Dallas, who coached him during their shared time in Milwaukee.
“I learned from Jason Kidd and a lot of other guys,” Middleton said. “Kidd was at the highest level of this league.
It’s about being honest - when you see something, say something. When guys have questions, be transparent.
Let them make mistakes and learn from them. That’s the approach I try to take.”
It’s a style that fits well with a team built around rising star Cooper Flagg, who’s already turning heads in his rookie season.
“He’s a beast,” Middleton said. “He had a great game against us in D.C. the first time I played him.
He’s been playing extremely well all year. I think everybody believes he’s the real deal, and he’s someone you’re going to be working with for a very long time.”
Middleton’s seen plenty of elite talent over the years - including current teammates Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. And while he says he tends to keep things low-key off the court, he’s soaking up every chance to learn from those who’ve been through the wars.
“Off the court, not too much,” Middleton said. “I’m kind of a homebody.
But on the court, I’ve played those guys a ton. They’re Hall of Famers for a reason.
I try to pick their brains about their careers, the stage they’re in now, and just talk through some of the experiences we’ve all had.”
A Veteran Voice at the Right Time
For a Mavericks team that’s reshaping its future and building around youth, Middleton isn’t just another rotation piece - he’s a compass. A player who’s been through the grind, who understands the value of patience, and who knows how to let a team grow without forcing it.
“I’m just trying to get acclimated,” Middleton said. “But everyone has been super accommodating and nice and making me feel welcomed and at home.
So, it’s been good. I’m appreciative of that.”
In a season defined by transition, Middleton’s presence offers something every team needs: stability, experience, and a voice that knows when to speak - and when to listen.