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Khris Middleton of the Dallas Mavericks goes to the basket against the Sacramento Kings.
Thanks to the enormous contracts for Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, the Philadelphia 76ers will be extremely limited in what they’re able to do in free agency this offseason.
Barring a major trade, the Sixers won’t have the salary cap space to make any major splash additions in free agency. Instead, they’ll be forced to go bargain hunting and look largely at young, unproven players or still-productive veterans who are past their prime. This target falls into the latter category.
Khris Middleton Named Target in Free Agency for Philadelphia 76ers
GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 21: Khris Middleton #20 of the Dallas Mavericks looks to pass against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at American Airlines Center on March 21, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes recently named veteran forward Khris Middleton as a top offseason target for the 76ers, along with Justin Champagnie and Jock Landale.
Out of those three, Middleton is certainly the most accomplished as he has been named to three All-Star teams over the course of his career and he was a key contributor during the Milwaukee Bucks‘ run to the championship in 2021.
Middleton, 34, is surely past his prime, but he could still be a productive player in spurts off of the bench for a contending team like the Sixers.
How much money the Sixers will have to operate with in free agency will depend on what they decide to do regarding pending free agents Kelly Oubre and Quentin Grimes, but they could potentially use a midlevel exception to sign a guy like Middleton, or Landale.
“If both Kelly Oubre and Quentin Grimes leave in free agency, the Philadelphia 76ers will have a real depth issue on the wing but perhaps a good way to address it via the full mid-level exception. The taxpayer MLE could be available if the Sixers bring back one of the two,” Hughes wrote.
“Neither Middleton nor Landale would require Philadelphia to use the full mid-level, but they could address shortages at the wing and backup center, respectively. If Landale’s hot streaks from deep are real, he’d bring a new dimension behind Joel Embiid and would prevent Dominick Barlow from having to play center at a size disadvantage.”
Khris Middleton Could Remain with Dallas Mavericks
Middleton was traded to the Dallas Mavericks from the Washington Wizards prior to the deadline in February, and he’s previously expressed an openness to remain with the Mavericks moving forward.
“I love the city of Dallas, I’ve been here before,” Middleton said when asked if he could see himself playing in Dallas beyond this season back in March. “I’m familiar with Dallas, I love the area. As far as the organization, it’s been great. I stayed here for a reason. I like where things are headed here. I like the way they’re trying to do things here, so we’ll see what happens.”
If Middleton opts to remain in Dallas, he obviously wouldn’t be an option for the Sixers. But if not, perhaps he could be a player that they look into signing.
Michael Kaskey-Blomain Michael Kaskey-Blomain is an experienced sports media member covering the NBA and NFL for Heavy. He has been in the industry for well over a decade with previous stops including the Philadelphia Inquirer and CBS Sports. Michael also serves as a Philadelphia 76ers reporter and insider for ESPN 97.3 and an NBA and NFL contributor for The Sporting News. More about Michael Kaskey-Blomain