TRADE: Bucks Send Middleton+Johnson to WAS | Kuzma+ Baldwin Jr.+ Sims heads to MIL

[SleepingHero]

@ShamsCharania
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.

[SleepingHero]

[SleepingHero]

@esidery
The Bucks are now officially under the second apron by $1.3 million after trading Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma.

Beginning immediately, Milwaukee can make other trades that can aggregate players together in the same transaction.

[omahen]

Several teams must be really dissapointed by their decisions from last season. Washington would probably get something like Grant, Green and FRP from Mavs last season for Kuzma. So two young players with potential upside and at least on moveable contracts. Instead they got a very bad contract in Middleton, only a pick swap (that pick was already swapped with Portland before) and gave SRP back. Not sure if that Milwaukee rookie is any good. Very difficult to flip 20+ mil contracts in the new CBA.

Portland is in similar situation with Grant as they could probably get much more last season. Brooklyn is another team that stubbornly held to DFS last season, and got just 2 SRP in this one. Perhaps sticking with a very high price on Cam Johnson isn't the smartest decision, unless they pull off a grand scoop with their cap space in the summer.

[SleepingHero]

Several teams must be really dissapointed by their decisions from last season. Washington would probably get something like Grant, Green and FRP from Mavs last season for Kuzma. So two young players with potential upside and at least on moveable contracts. Instead they got a very bad contract in Middleton, only a pick swap (that pick was already swapped with Portland before) and gave SRP back. Not sure if that Milwaukee rookie is any good. Very difficult to flip 20+ mil contracts in the new CBA.

Portland is in similar situation with Grant as they could probably get much more last season. Brooklyn is another team that stubbornly held to DFS last season, and got just 2 SRP in this one. Perhaps sticking with a very high price on Cam Johnson isn't the smartest decision, unless they pull off a grand scoop with their cap space in the summer.

Very true. But I don’t think that will change as GM’s would rather hold on longer and extract maximal value if they can, even if it blows up in their face.

Or you can be like Nico and just nuke your franchise without a thought. I know which type of GM I’d prefer 

[Chicagojk]

Kuzma has been bad this year. Looks a little heavy. He has also picked up bad habits playing for a terrible team. He had been a solid piece on a good team previously. Not sure he still has that or even wants to play that way. Seems like MIL just rearranging the deck chairs. I think we all know what eventually is going to happen there. May be a few years or maybe sooner though.

What happens to Middleton in Washington?

[omahen]

What happens to Middleton in Washington?

No idea. He has a player option for next season on a deal he will no longer get elsewhere. So perhaps he keeps the option and the millions. Perhaps he rejects it already now and gets bought out to get on a good team. I doubt they will be able to trade him this TDL, unless they get involved as a facilitator in a big trade, where his salary would be preffered to some others.

[DallasMaverick]

Kuzma has been bad this year.  Looks a little heavy.  He has also picked up bad habits playing for a terrible team.  He had been a solid piece on a good team previously.  Not sure he still has that or even wants to play that way.  Seems like MIL just rearranging the deck chairs.  I think we all know what eventually is going to happen there.  May be a few years or maybe sooner though. 

What happens to Middleton in Washington?

When healthy, Middleton seems like a lot better player. Both can score, but Kuzma doesn’t play much defense.

The Bucks save some money, and unlock the potential to do additional trades.

I guess the Bullets did it for the young players in the deal, since neither Kuzma nor Middleton fits their long-term plans.

[Jym]

Say what you will about the Luka trade but at least we didn't do a move for Kuzma

[cow]

Say what you will about the Luka trade but at least we didn't do a move for Kuzma

We tried in the past.

[SleepingHero]

We tried in the past.

Nico wanted to trade 2 FRPs for Kuzma. 


Still would’ve preferred that over the Luka trade.

[KillerLeft]

Nico wanted to trade 2 FRPs for Kuzma. 


Still would’ve preferred that over the Luka trade.

Oooof. You're really testing me with this one, but I must agree.

[SleepingHero]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
The New York Knicks are trading center Jericho Sims to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of Bucks-Washington Wizards/Kyle Kuzma-Khris Middleton deal, sources tell ESPN.

[SleepingHero]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) on X
The Bucks are sending Delon Wright and cash to the Knicks for Sims, sources said