When the Dallas Mavericks made the bold move to trade Anthony Davis last month, fans were left wondering how it would all pan out. Fast forward a few weeks, and the gamble seemed to pay off, with new additions Marvin Bagley III and Khris Middleton stepping up in a big way. Under Jason Kidd's guidance, these two veterans quickly became crucial pieces of the rotation, making their presence felt on the court.
Middleton, in particular, hit the ground running. In three of his first four games, he scored 13 or more points, providing the offensive spark that Dallas desperately needed to relieve some pressure off Cooper Flagg. However, the honeymoon period didn't last, and Middleton has recently hit a rough patch.
Middleton's recent dip in form has left the Mavericks searching for solutions
Just last week, Middleton delivered a standout performance against the Memphis Grizzlies, dropping a season-high 35 points. His scoring, especially in the clutch moments of the fourth quarter, was instrumental in the Mavs' victory.
Shooting an impressive 80 percent from beyond the arc and 58.8 percent overall, Middleton seemed to be on a roll. But since that breakout game, things have taken a downturn.
Over the past four games, he's averaged just 5.5 points per game, with shooting percentages plummeting to 30.8 from the field and 23.5 from three-point range. The initial excitement surrounding his arrival in Dallas is beginning to wane.
Not too long ago, Mavericks fans were eager for Dallas to re-sign Middleton in the upcoming free agency. Even co-interim general manager Michael Finley showed interest in keeping him around.
Given Middleton's early impact off the bench, it was a logical consideration. His performance against Memphis seemed like a step in the right direction, making his future with the team look promising.
However, his recent slump might force Dallas to rethink their plans.
Middleton's decline over the last few games is concerning. He hasn't been able to replicate the numbers from his early days with the team, and age seems to be catching up with him. A reduced role hasn't helped his cause, and his effectiveness has noticeably dipped.
Middleton's struggles come at a critical time
Take his latest outing against the Atlanta Hawks as an example. Scoring just seven points and shooting 33.3 percent from the floor, Middleton struggled to generate offense, missing four out of five attempts from inside the arc.
In his debut with the Mavericks, Middleton was a reliable option off the bench, scoring 13 points on 40 percent shooting. It was a glimpse of the potential impact he could have.
Just three games later, he put up 25 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out seven assists. But maintaining that level of production proved challenging.
In the following game, he managed only six points, missing all his shots from beyond the arc.
Now, it seems those high-scoring performances are becoming a distant memory. Middleton is struggling to find his rhythm, and this could jeopardize his future in Dallas. The team needs him to rediscover his form if he wants to avoid being on the move again next season.
There's still time for Middleton to turn things around, but the flashes of brilliance he showed early on might not be enough to secure his place with the Mavericks next season.