The Washington Wizards are trading Kyle Kuzma to the Milwaukee Bucks for a package centered around Khris Middleton, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Breaking: The Milwaukee Bucks are trading Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson and a pick swap to the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and second-round draft compensation, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/hCOzqqqUXE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2025
The package as currently reported looks like this:
Milwaukee receives: Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr., second-round draft compensation
Washington receives: Middleton, AJ Johnson, pick swap
The Kuzma trade finally comes after multiple trade deadlines of speculation and inaction. The move to Milwaukee gives Kuzma a chance to contend for his second NBA title alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Kuzma’s time in Washington can best be described as a rollercoaster. He arrived by way of the Russell Westbrook trade in 2021 along with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Montrezl Harrell and instantly became one of the Wizards’ most important players.
Kuzma won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2020 NBA Bubble but has played his best basketball since being traded to the Wizards. He averaged a career-best 22.2 points per game last season as the primary offensive option.
Kuzma, however, is in the midst of one of his worst seasons as a pro, and easily his worst as the focal point of a team. His scoring and efficiency have cratered, but he will now be at best the third option in Milwaukee. Depending on Brook Lopez’ and Bobby Portis’ statuses, Kuzma will likely often be the fourth or even fifth offensive option.
Middleton departs Milwaukee as one of the Bucks’ all-time greatest players and was an integral part of their 2021 championship team. Middleton’s play has dipped in recent years due to a combination of age and injury, and the three-time All-Star will now move into a different stage of his career.
Middleton’s contract is only guaranteed through this season, plus a $34 million player option for next season. Whether or not he picks up that option greatly affects whether he ever plays a game for the Wizards.
Middleton played his rookie season with the Detroit Pistons, but had been with the Bucks since 2013, the year Milwaukee drafted Antetokounmpo. The pairing defined an era of Bucks basketball, but the writing has been on the wall that Middleton’s days in Milwaukee were numbered.
Expect the Wizards to continue to be active at the deadline, with players like Jonas Valanciunas and Malcolm Brogdon yet to be moved. Since the Bucks are now under the second apron as a result of this trade, they’ve re-gained the ability to aggregate salaries in trades. Expect them to pursue other starter-or-better options ahead of the trade deadline.
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. EST.