Khris Middleton returns to Wizards in six-team trade

Veteran forward Khris Middleton is returning to the Washington Wizards on a three-year contract as part of a complex, six-team trade that will also send guard D'Angelo Russell to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to multiple reports. The agreement, which was finalized on Tuesday, July 7, folds several previously arranged transactions into one large deal.

Middleton's contract with the Wizards is worth $17.6 million. Because the move is structured as a sign-and-trade, the deal is required to be for three seasons, but only the first year is fully guaranteed. The second year is partially guaranteed, and the third year is non-guaranteed.

The trade involves the Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Milwaukee Bucks. As part of the arrangement, the Wizards will acquire Middleton from the Mavericks and send Russell, a 2029 second-round pick originally from the Los Angeles Lakers, and their own 2033 second-round pick to the Grizzlies. Washington will also receive a 2033 second-round pick from Dallas.

This multi-team framework incorporates other pending moves, including the Pistons' acquisition of John Collins from the Clippers and the Bucks'...