New York (AFP) – The Milwaukee Bucks traded All-Star forward Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma on Wednesday, according to multiple reports, as tensions grew ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. The deal also sends forward Patrick Baldwin and a second-round 2025 NBA Draft pick, while the Wizards obtained guard A.J. Johnson and a first-round pick swap in 2028.
More moves league-wide are likely ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, with Phoenix benching Kevin Durant for Wednesday’s game at Oklahoma City due to a left ankle sprain. That sparked speculation that Durant could be the subject of trade talks, with great anticipation regarding a possible return to the Golden State Warriors, with whom he won NBA titles in 2017 and 2018.
The Bucks, currently sitting at 26-22 and on a three-game losing skid, made the swap with the NBA-worst Wizards (8-41) to acquire 29-year-old forward Kuzma, who has averaged 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists this season. Middleton, 33, was instrumental in helping the Bucks win the NBA crown in 2021 and had been a mainstay for the team since joining in a 2013 trade after spending his rookie campaign in Detroit. He underwent offseason surgeries on both ankles and did not make his debut this season until December 6. Over his career, Middleton has averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
In addition to the trade with the Bucks, the Wizards made another deal, according to ESPN, sending Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas to the Sacramento Kings for two second-round draft picks and 20-year-old French guard Sidy Cissoko, who had been obtained from San Antonio on Monday in the deal that sent De’Aaron Fox from the Kings to the Spurs. The Kings will unite newcomers Valanciunas and Zach LaVine and aim to fight for a playoff spot, currently ranking eighth in the Western Conference at 25-24 — the same record as Phoenix and Golden State.
Other reported deals on Wednesday included German power forward Daniel Theis moving from New Orleans to Oklahoma City and Boston Celtics reserve guard Jaden Springer heading to the Houston Rockets.
© 2024 AFP
