Report: Bucks send Middleton to Wizards for Kuzma in 4-player deal
The Milwaukee Bucks are trading former All-Star Khris Middleton, guard AJ Johnson, and a pick swap to the Washington Wizards for forwards Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and a second-rounder, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
The Bucks are trading a first-round pick swap in 2028 to the Wizards, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Kuzma is reducing a portion of his trade bonus to help the Bucks continue to build the roster, Marks adds. Milwaukee drops below the second apron with the trade.
Middleton spent 12 seasons with the Bucks, during which time he grew into a three-time All-Star and played a key role as Milwaukee won a championship in 2021. He averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.5 steals over that postseason run.
Middleton holds several Bucks franchise accolades, ranking first in made 3-pointers, third in points and assists, and seventh in rebounds.
Injuries have limited Middleton to 111 games over the last three seasons. The 33-year-old underwent double ankle surgery over the summer, which pushed his season debut back to December. He's averaging 12.6 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds this campaign.
The 33-year-old has a player option worth $34 million for next season.
Kuzma is also having a down year, averaging 15.2 points on career-low shooting from the field (42%), 3-point range (28.1%), and the free-throw line (60.2%). He averaged 21.7 points over the two previous seasons and won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
The Bucks believe Kuzma can help the team play faster and be more effective in transition, sources told The Athletic's David Aldridge, Eric Nehm, and Josh Robbins.
Kuzma signed a four-year, $90-million contract in 2023 and is slated to become a free agent in 2027.
Johnson was selected by the Bucks with the 23rd pick in the 2024 draft. He's played 44 total minutes this season.
Baldwin holds career averages of 3.7 points and two rebounds. He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2022 but was traded to the Wizards in the Chris Paul-Jordan Poole deal the following season.