Bucks trade Khris Middleton to Wizards for Kyle Kuzma

Defensively this Bucks team is going to struggle if they aren't already.

 

Players ain't Loyalty! - TEAMS
Middleton - GET OUT HERE!!! - Also TEAMS

Rocket River

 

Wow

 

Without knowing more about the swap, I like it for the Bucks. MIddleton on the downslope, AJ sucks...

 

This gets the Bucks under the second apron, which means they are allowed to aggregate salaries now, correct?? Could this be a pre-cursor to a second move? Stay tuned, folks! Or don't. Meh.

 

I thought the Bucks got screwed but it was the wrong AJ. Then I realized how many low tier AJs the Bucks had. AJ Johnson, AJ Green, Andre Jackson Jr (Techincally an AJ).

 

Middleton is (still) better than no-defense chucker Kyle Kuzma. Bucks seem determined to drive off a cliff with some of these moves

 

1st round exit? Though Dame might be good for a couple of great 4th quarters in the first round.

 

I don’t think Middleton has ever fully recovered from his injuries. He was such an integral part of their championship.

They’ll miss his playmaking and shooting. I get that he isn’t the player he was but, trading him for Kuzma’s empty stats doesn’t make sense to me

 

This was a cap move. Pretty much trash for trash trade. We are going to see a lot of these get under the second apron or luxury tax saving moves between now and next season.

 

Maybe I'm crazy but I think Bucks won the trade. Yeah on paper Middleton is so much better than Kuzma, but in reality Middleton is old and always injured. Dude has only played in like 25 games this season, doesnt matter how good he is if he cant play. Kuzma oth is making around 10M less so it saves Bucks a lot money since they were in the 2nd apron and they didnt even have to give up a pick just a swap that likely wont convey. The only thing is the fit between Giannis and Kuzma, Kuzma also plays the PF position and he is a bad 3 pt shooter and defender. Maybe he picks up his game now he's on a good team again.

For the Wizards I think they are just desperate to not be the worst team in NBA history. They are hoping Middleton can be healthy and win a couple of games just for them to not break the loss record. It doesnt make sense otherwise to add a 33 yr old to their team when they are trying to rebuild.

 

Kuzma - Giannas - Lopez

Is this their front line?

Rocket River

 

Isn't he Jalen's "cousin" or whatever he calls him.

 

Pretty sure they just didn't want to deal with Kuzma's BS. He recently said in the media that he was no longer going to defer to the young guys and do whatever he wanted. Who the hell wants a cancer like that around while developing young talent. Is not as if he knows how to win either.

 

Wizards are doing this to have a look at AJ Johnson. 23rd pick inthe 2024 draft. They would have done their due diligence on him at draft time - he was drafted in the range of one of their 1st rounders.

It also gets them out of the rest of Kuzma's deal - which had 2 more seasons after this one.

Potentially Middleton will opt out at the end of this year and test the FA market - so they have a chance to score further value by facilitating a destination for him via SnT.

I get it for the Wiazards.

Bucks save $$ and replace a guy who has declined and often injured. But not sure Kuzma is the answer to many questions....

 

They’re big but I still don’t see Bucks as any serious threat. Kind of a meh trade.

 

Middleton has been a much better player than Kuzma, but does he have enough left in the tank to be dynamic and help close games in the playoffs like he used to.