Kyle Kuzma has reportedly been traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, with key franchise player Khris Middleton being sent to the Washington Wizards in a multi-player trade.
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That is according to ESPN’s Shams Charania who revealed on X that Middleton, AJ Johnson and a pick swap were being traded to the Wizards.
In return, the Bucks received Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and a second-round draft compensation.
The big move ends a troublesom stretch in Milwaukee for Middleton, with the 33-year-old battling injuries in recent seasons which included a double ankle surgery in the off-season.
He spent more than 11 seasons with the Bucks, having played a crucial role in the franchise’s 2021 championship alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The talented guard also has the Bucks’ franchise record for total threes with 1,382 and is the third-leading scorer, behind only Antetokounmpo and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Middleton’s ankle injury sidelined him for the first 21 games of the season and his 12.6 points per game is his lowest output since 2013/14.
Kuzma’s move to the Bucks will see him join Antetokounmpo and Damien Lillard, and the trade his financial roster implications.
The former Lakers forward is set to earn $23.5 million this season, but his salary drops to $21.4 million and then $19.4 million come the final year of his contract.
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Kuzma is reportedly reducing a percentage of his trade bonus written into his contract, meaning the Bucks savings drop below the second apron.
Middleton, meanwhile, was set to earn $31.7 million this season with a player option at $34 million for next campaign.
The move to trade Middleton now gives the Bucks the flexibility to aggregate salaries in their next trades, which they were previously restricted from doing.
Kuzma, 29, shapes as an interesting running mate for Milwaukee’s pair of superstars, averaging 15.2 points and 5.8 rebounds on 42 per cent shooting.
He can also play alongside Antetokounmpo in the front court in the Bucks’ small ball line-ups, standing at six foot nine.
