NBA News: Kyle Kuzma allegedly traded for Bucks; Wizard’s Land Khris Middleton, More | News, scores, highlights, statistics and rumors

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Portland, Oregon - January 28: Khris Middleton #22 in Milwaukee Bucks dribbles against Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter of Moda Center on January 28, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. Note to the user: User expresses and expressly accepts that the user by downloading and or using this photograph consent to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images)

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In their desperate attempts to upgrade the schedule before the trading deadline, Milwaukee acquires Bucks Kyle Kuzma from Washington Wizards in a package for Khris Middleton.

Per. ESPNs Shams CharaniaBucks will receive Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr. And a draft of the second round from Wizards to Middleton, AJ Johnson and a pick swap.

According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer involved “a key element” of the “A large votes for support” from Giannis Antetokounmpo:

Jake Fischer @Jakelfischer

I am told a key element in the trade negotiations that brought Kyle Kuzma to Milwaukee in exchange for the championship Mainstay Khris Middleton: A big voice for support for Kuzma from a Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Fischer Also populated that Bucks was talking to Chicago Bulls about Zach Lavine before liquidating to be traded to Sacramento Kings as part of the three-team agreement that sent de’aaron Fox to San Antonio Spurs.

Middleton’s name had emerged in trade rumors in recent weeks as one of the few Bucks players with any real value they had to consider moving.

While it can be argued that Middleton is the best player moving in this trade, there is a level of security that Kuzma offers the bucks they did not have before.

Kuzma is four years younger than Middleton and has not almost as many injury problems.

Middleton missed the first 21 games this season that recovered from high season surgery On both ankles. His minutes have been carefully monitored and he was kept out of back-to-backs since returning, with the exception of once that did not work when he was scoreless on two field target attempts in 15 minutes against the Portland Trail Blazers it.

Bucks also gets financial relief from this deal because Kuzma earns $ 8 million less than Middleton this season. He also has a falling contract that has two additional years beyond this season, with Salaries of $ 21.5 million in 2025-26 and $ 19.4 million in 2026-27.

Middleton is doing $ 31.7 million This season and has an option of $ 34 million to 2025-26. Espns Bobby Marks added that Kuzma agreed to reduce part of his trading bonus to keep bucks under the second apron.

Bobby Marks @Bobbymarks42

To help Milwaukee build their list now and in the future, Kyle Kuzma reduces part of the trading bonus in his contract, sources of ESPN tell.
The reduced trading bonus allows Milwaukee to stay under the second apron.
Kuzma won a championship with Lakers in 2020.

While there was a time when Middleton was one of the better two -way swinging in NBA, age and injuries have made him a responsibility In defense.

Kuzma is not anyone’s idea of ​​a defensive stop, but he can be an effective offensive player in the right role. His numbers this season were the wizards are terrible, though it came in a situation with Jordan Poole as the primary ball trader.

29-year-old Kuzma average 15.2 points of 42.0 percent shooting (28.1 percent from three). Putting him in a situation where he should only be the No. 3 scoring opportunity and will not attract much attention because defense has to focus on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard should help improve these numbers.

This is not a trade that vaults bucks into the upper level of Eastern conference competitions, but given the limited resources they had available to move, it was probably the best deal they could do at this time while they also got a player who has several years left on his contract.