The Washington Wizards are rebuilding. Khris Middleton is a 33-year-old with a large contract. That may make them an odd match, but the Wizards aren't expected to move on from Middleton immediately.
Washington expects that Middleton will become a role model for their young roster. The veteran wing's professionalism and leadership should be a boon to one of the youngest teams in the NBA. The Wizards traded Jonas Valanciunas and Kyle Kuzma, who had been leaders for team that features a second-year player and three rookies as key rotation players.
Middleton is owed $31.6 million for this season. He then has a $34 million player option for next season, which Middleton is expected to pick up. The Wizards could look to move him in a trade this offseason, or ahead of the 2026 trade deadline a year from now. As an expiring salary, Middleton may be easier to move then vs an immediate trade to flip him ahead of this year's deadline.