In an exciting turn of events in the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks are trading Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kyle Kuzma. This transaction comes shortly after high-profile trades that included stars Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis, De’Aaron Fox, and Zach LaVine, indicating a flurry of activity leading up to the trade deadline.
ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the details of this deal, which further includes AJ Johnson and a pick swap heading to Washington, while the Bucks will receive Patrick Baldwin Jr. and a second-round pick in return. This trade will see Kuzma, 29, transition from the struggling Wizards to a Bucks team that, despite a current record of 26-22, maintains aspirations for a deep playoff run—with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard leading the charge.
Kuzma has averaged 15.2 points per game over 32 games this season. Notably, he was a key contributor to the Los Angeles Lakers’ championship run in 2020, and he has two years left on his current contract following this season. On the other hand, Middleton, 33, has had a rocky last few years, grappling with injuries—including significant ankle surgeries last offseason—and is averaging just 12.6 points in limited minutes, marking the lowest output of his career.
Middleton, who has three All-Star selections to his name and played a pivotal role in the Bucks’ 2021 NBA Finals victory, has a player option worth $34 million for next year, potentially setting him up for free agency in 2026.
In addition to the leading players, the less seasoned AJ Johnson and Patrick Baldwin Jr. round out the trade. Johnson, a first-round pick from last June, has seen limited action with Milwaukee, while Baldwin has played 91 games across his young career.
With the NBA trade deadline looming on February 6, teams are making strategic moves to bolster their rosters for the second half of the season. Fans can expect more shifts as teams look to secure their playoff positions and chase the ultimate prize—an NBA championship.
This trade not only enriches the competitive landscape of the Eastern Conference but could also signal an opportunity for both Middleton and Kuzma to rejuvenate their careers in new environments. It sets an intriguing stage as the league inches closer to the playoffs, with several factors that could reshape the playoff picture significantly.