The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired Kyle Kuzma from the Washington Wizards after trading veteran Khris Middleton on Wednesday morning. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Milwaukee traded Middleton, AJ Johnson, and a pick swap to the Wizards for Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and second-round draft compensation. Middleton was a key part of the Bucks' NBA championship run in 2021. Meanwhile, Kuzma won his first and only title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
After getting drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft, Middleton was moved to Milwaukee in 2013 and has been with the Bucks since. The Texas A&M product became an integral role player for Milwaukee as they rose to contention behind franchise star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Middleton hit career-highs in scoring from 2020 to 2022, as the Bucks saw some of their deepest playoff runs since losing to the 76ers in the 2001 Eastern Conference Championship.
