The Milwaukee Bucks got off to a brutal start to the season, but since then, they’ve reestablished themselves as a top-six team in the East. They’re still fighting their way up the standings, but they’ve removed themselves from the Play-In group enough to be a bit comfortable. But that doesn’t mean they won’t want to make moves, and Khris Middleton could be on the chopping block.
Since returning from his injury, Middleton has had a fairly underwhelming season. His efficiency has been solid, but he’s not scoring at the same level he once was, and Milwaukee undoubtedly misses the contributions he brought to the table when he was an All-Star. Plus, he's not playing nearly as many minutes as he once could.
Well, they may just consider moving him and shaking up their core.
Bucks interested in Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma trade
According to Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com, who has covered the Boston Celtics and NBA for decades, the Bucks are interested, and may even be ‘close,’ in a trade that would swap Middleton for Kyle Kuzma.
Hearing from sources that Middleton from Bucks to Washington for Kuzma is getting close, as is a Wizards-Suns Valanciunas-Nurkic move.
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) February 4, 2025
Story coming from @HeavyOnSports on how some teams are looking to make a run, while others position for Cooper Flagg.
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Kuzma has been a solid player for the Washington Wizards ever since getting traded by the Los Angeles Lakers for Russell Westbrook. He would certainly give the Bucks a different look from Middleton.
Not only is Kuzma taller, but he’s also a better rebounder and perhaps a better defender at this stage in his career. And most importantly, he’s only 29 years old, which would make Milwaukee’s core significantly younger around Giannis Antetokounmpo, as Middleton is 33.
Though Kuzma’s not as efficient as Middleton, especially from behind the three-point line, he takes far more shots. Perhaps at a lower volume, Kuzma would trade out some of his shots for more efficiency.
At the very least, placing Kuzma in a situation like Milwaukee would allow him to be a bit more comfortable than he is as one of the top options in Washington.
The spacing Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard would provide to Kuzma as a third scoring option would undoubtedly aid his shot profile.
That said, Kuzma’s 28.1% shooting from deep is a real concern if the Bucks are looking to maintain their deep-range attack, especially considering Middleton is shooting 40.7% from deep.
Trading Middleton for Kuzma would help the Bucks cap situation, though. Kuzma makes significantly less than Middleton and is on a declining salary. Plus, he’s under team control for a year longer.
Kuzma makes roughly $23.5 million this year vs. Middleton’s $31.7 million. And by the time Kuzma is in the last season of his deal during the 2026-27 season, he’ll only be making $19.4 million.