UPDATE: The New York Knicks will be trading C Jericho Sims to the Bucks as part of the deal.
The Milwaukee Bucks are breaking up the supporting cast around stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard by trading veteran Khris Middleton to the Wizards along with AJ Johnson and a pick swap. In return, they’ll add Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and a second-round pick, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
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
Middleton played the past 12 seasons in Milwaukee but only managed to play 23 games this season due to injuries. He played just 23.2 minutes in those games, producing 12.6 points, 4.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He was a three-time All-Star in Milwaukee, yet injuries have mounted for the 33-year-old, who has a $34 million player option for next season, which he’ll likely pick up.
The Wizards could try to flip Middleton in another deal before tomorrow’s trade deadline, or next year if he shows he is healthier. The pieces of the trade that probably intrigue the Wizards more are the pick swap in 2028 and a young prospect in Johnson. Johnson was the Bucks’ first-round pick in 2024 out of the NBL in Australia. Johnson is still just 20 years old and has played only seven games with the Bucks while spending most of his time working with the Wisconsin Herd in the G League. In 15 games with the Herd, he averaged 13.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 28.1 minutes per game.
The Bucks add Kuzma and Baldwin into the mix as they try to gear up for the playoffs. The team currently sits fifth in the Eastern Conference at 26-22 after losing four straight.
Kuzma has only played 32 games due to injury but is younger and more productive than Middleton has been this year. He’s averaged 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in his 27.7 minutes per game. Kuz has typically been a high-usage player with questionable shot selection, so it will be interesting to see how he fits in next to Dame and Giannis. He is under contract for two more season after this one.
The Bucks are in Charlotte to face the Hornets on Wednesday night, while the Wizards are in Brooklyn to take on the Nets. All players in the trade are unlikely to play, which does open up usage and value for DFS contests from the teams they are leaving.
