According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Washington Wizards have traded Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and second-round draft compensation to the Milwaukee Bucks for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, and a pick swap. Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that Giannis Antetokounmpo vouched for the Kuzma trade.
From the Wizards’ perspective, they swapped out Kuzma’s deal for Middleton’s and added a first-round pick in the process. But that’s not all they did. In addition to dumping Baldwin’s deal, they also added Johnson, who was the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He has only appeared in seven NBA games but has been solid in the G League.
And he may be the reason the Wizards win the trade.
Wizards getting AJ Johnson in Kyle Kuzma trade with Bucks could be a fleece
According to draft expert Tyler Rucker of No Ceilings, who spoke with Hardwood Houdini after the trade, Johnson could be the star of this deal.
“Think there’s a chance he’s the best asset in that trade down the line,” Rucker said.
He also noted that Johnson’s inclusion in the trade was a bit surprising, considering how he’s been playing in the G League this season.
“Think Bucks just swing big at [a] developmental piece [in the draft],” Rucker said. “Little surprised they traded him, honestly. He had been better in the G League. Think they are probably desperate and Washington smartly just stood firm on [his inclusion in the deal].”
In 15 games with the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks’ G League affiliate, Johnson has averaged 13.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 43.5% from the field and 42.6% from behind the three-point line.
Johnson just turned 20 years old on December 1, so he still has plenty of time to continue his development, and now, the Wizards get to see what he looks like in Washington. They will have infinitely more opportunities for him than the Bucks did.
The Wizards already have one of the younger rosters in the NBA, and Johnson marks the fourth 2024 first-round rookie they have on the roaster, joining Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George.
All three of those guys have played over 25 minutes per game this year, and Johnson could be in for the same opportunities, giving him a chance to blossom at the NBA level very early on in his career.
If Rucker’s thoughts on the deal come true, the Wizards may have just fleeced the Bucks.