Bucks, Wizards Swap Middleton and Kuzma: Fantasy Reaction

With rumors surrounding Milwaukee’s beloved shooting guard for a few weeks now, it finally happened. Khris Middleton has been dealt to the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma, with rookie AJ Johnson and a pick swap also heading to Washington in exchange for Patrick Baldwin Jr. and a second-round draft pick.

Middleton, a former second-round pick, has been with Milwaukee since 2013 and played a key role in their 2021 championship run. But at age 33 and recovering from offseason surgeries on both ankles, Middleton’s play has started to fall off — he’s averaging just 12.6 points per game, his fewest since his first full season with the Bucks. And while trading away one of the most cherished players in your franchise is difficult, it also almost felt necessary for Milwaukee, as this move gets them below the second apron — according to Bobby Marks of ESPN, Kuzma is reducing his trade kicker to help the Bucks get under that apron.

The fit with the Bucks is interesting. You obviously want plenty of spacing when playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, though Kuzma is only shooting 28.2% off catch-and-shoot triples this season. Of course, he does give the Bucks more youth, athleticism and durability, while he’s always been at his best playing the power forward position. This move suggests that we are going to see some more minutes from Antetokounmpo at the center spot and with the team now under the second apron, it also wouldn’t surprise me to see another move in the works before Thursday’s trade deadline. Keep an eye on a backup point guard or more wing help for Milwaukee over the next 24 hours. But for now, it’s official:

The Giannis and Middleton era has come to an end.