Add the Milwaukee Bucks to the list of teams who are making moves ahead of the trade deadline.
The Bucks are sending veteran forward Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, and a 2028 first-round pick swap to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and 2025 second-round pick. Senior NBA insider Shams Charania first reported the deal.
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.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2025
It marked the end of an era for the Bucks, who are trading away a player who has been with the squad since 2013.
A former second round pick, Middleton emerged as a fan favorite for Cream City, especially his playoff heroics that led Milwaukee to the 2021 title.
An injury-plagued season forced Middleton to play just 23 of the Bucks’ 48 games this season so far. He averaged 12.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.
The 33-year-old will leave Milwaukee as the franchise leader in three-pointers made at 1,382, second in games played (735), third in points (12,586) and assists (2,990), as well as fifth in steals (870) among others.
In parting ways with Middleton, the Bucks will add a much-younger scorer in Kuzma to its core of two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
The 29-year-old is averaging 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists this season for the Wizards squad who are currently at the bottom of the East.
Despite his scoring average dipping slightly after back-to-back 20 point-seasons, Kuzma is expected to be a reliable third option with Antetokounmpo and Lillard behind for the Bucks.
Milwaukee is currently at 26-22 lid out of the top four in the East after losing three straight games for the first time since early November.
