Wizards Intend To Hold On To Khris Middleton After Trade Sending Kyle Kuzma To Bucks

February 5, 2025

The Washington Wizards intend to hang on to Khris Middleton after acquiring the veteran forward from the Milwaukee Bucks, per NBA insider Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.

The Wizards landed Middleton, AJ Johnson and the rights to a 2028 pick swap, sending Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and a 2025 second-round pick to the Bucks, sources confirmed to Hoops Wire.

Kuzma has offered to reduce his trade bonus as part of the deal, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, allowing the Buckls to stay under the dreaded second tax apron. The Bucks now find themselves in a far more favorable position to make additional moves ahead of the NBA trade deadline (Thursday, 3 p.m., EST), if so desired.

Some have suggested that the Bucks could combine the salaries of Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis (about $22 million combined) to go after another impactful player. Milwaukee also still holds a 2031 first-round pick.

Anyway, Middleton has been a pro’s pro with the Bucks after joining the Bucks back in 2013. A three-time All-Star, he was a key member of the 2021 championship team.

“Kuzma, like Middleton, is a former NBA champion whose career has experienced turbulence ever since,” wrote Bill Reiter of CBS Sports. “Kuzma won his title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, but was included in their 2021 blockbuster acquisition of Russell Westbrook and has been a Wizard ever since. He averaged a reasonably efficient 20.2 points per game in his first three seasons as a Wizard while rebounding well and providing passable defense.”

The Wizards sport the league’s worst record and are likely to stay that way, even with Middleton, as they aim to land the No. 1 overall draft pick.

He’s averaging 12.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists this season while shooting 51.2% from the field, 40.7% from beyond the arc and 84.8% from the free-throw line.

A three-time All-Star, Middleton is making $31.7 million this season. He has a player option worth $34 million for next season.

Kuzma (29) is younger than Middleton (33). The former Los Angeles Lakers forward is averaging 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists this season while shooting 42.0% overall, 28.1% from 3 and 60.2% from the foul line.

A Utah product, Kuzma is making $23.5 million this season. He’ll make $21.5 million next season.