MIL-SAS-WAS : Vassel-Kuzma-Middleton swap

[Kineto]

This trade is based on the assumption that Giannis wants to give the Bucks one last chance, that Middleton and Connaughton will take their player options, and that the Spurs will stick to their plan of progressing step by step, and wait for the 2026 FA to make their big push.

Bucks
in : Devin Vassel, Blake Wesley
out : Kyle Kuzma, Pat Connaughton, 2031 2nd

Spurs
in : Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton
out : Devin Vassel, Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham, 2026 2nd (NOP or POR), 2026 2nd (OKC, DAL or PHI)

Wizards
in : Kyle Kuzma, Malaki Branham, 2031 2nd, 2026 2nd (NOP or POR), 2026 2nd (OKC, DAL or PHI)
out : Khris Middleton


Why for the Bucks ?
They are betting that the real Vassel is the 2023 version (or better) and not last year's version. The former is a good player with an OK contract; the latter is an OK player (still better than Kuzma) with a bad contract.
Considering the price to acquire him is basically nothing (Kuzma, Connaughton and a 2031 second-round pick), it's a risk worth taking for the Bucks. They also retain their 2031 first-round pick to strengthen the team.
Even if it doesn't work out as expected and Giannis leaves, Vassell is still a young player, and with the salary cap increasing, his contract won't seem so bad in a few years (the last two years are only 13% of the expected salary cap).
Wesley could be useful as a backup point guard while Lillard is away, and the Bucks have one full year to test him and see if they want to keep him.


Why for the Spurs ?
If the Spurs get rid of Vassell and Johnson, they will have enough salary cap space to offer a maximum contract in the 2026 free agency, while keeping Fox, Sochan, and all their other young players (Wemby, Cassel, Harper, and the 14th pick).
However, Vassell had a poor 2024 season and four years left on his contract, so he is a tough player to trade. With Fox, Castle and Harper in the guard spots, it will be difficult to find minutes for him next year to rebuild his value.
Middleton is an expiring contract, and he could provide some veteran leadership to the team. If he stays healthy, he could provide 20 quality minutes at the small forward position and help the team reach the playoffs.


Why for the Wizards ?
They trade the 1 year/34M$ of middleton contract for the 2 year/43M$ contract of Kuzma, and take 3 second and a flyer on a young prospect in exchange.
They kept Kuzma for years (and even re-signed him), so they probably don't hate him as a player, and if they rebuild a little of his value, they could still get a little something from him as an expiring contract next year.

[Donkedave]

This trade is based on the assumption that Giannis wants to give the Bucks one last chance, that Middleton and Connaughton will take their player options, and that the Spurs will stick to their plan of progressing step by step, and wait for the 2026 FA to make their big push.

Bucks
in : Devin Vassel, Blake Wesley
out : Kyle Kuzma, Pat Connaughton, 2031 2nd

Spurs
in : Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton
out : Devin Vassel, Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham, 2026 2nd (NOP or POR), 2026 2nd (OKC, DAL or PHI)

Wizards
in : Kyle Kuzma, Malaki Branham, 2031 2nd, 2026 2nd (NOP or POR), 2026 2nd (OKC, DAL or PHI)
out : Khris Middleton


Why for the Bucks ?
They are betting that the real Vassel is the 2023 version (or better) and not last year's version. The former is a good player with an OK contract; the latter is an OK player (still better than Kuzma) with a bad contract.
Considering the price to acquire him is basically nothing (Kuzma, Connaughton and a 2031 second-round pick), it's a risk worth taking for the Bucks. They also retain their 2031 first-round pick to strengthen the team.
Even if it doesn't work out as expected and Giannis leaves, Vassell is still a young player, and with the salary cap increasing, his contract won't seem so bad in a few years (the last two years are only 13% of the expected salary cap).
Wesley could be useful as a backup point guard while Lillard is away, and the Bucks have one full year to test him and see if they want to keep him.


Why the Spurs ?
If the Spurs get rid of Vassell and Johnson, they will have enough salary cap space to offer a maximum contract in the 2026 free agency, while keeping Fox, Sochan, and all their other young players (Wemby, Cassel, Harper, and the 14th pick).
However, Vassell had a poor 2024 season and had four years left on his contract, so he is a tough player to trade. With Fox, Castle and Harper in the guard spots, it will be difficult to find minutes for him next year to rebuild his value.
Middleton is an expiring contract, and he could provide some veteran leadership to the team. If he stays healthy, he could provide 20 quality minutes at the small forward position and help the team reach the playoffs.


Why for the Wizards ?
They trade the 1 year 34M$ of middleton contract for the 2 year 43M$ contract of Kuzma, and take 3 second and a flyer on a young prospect in exchange.
They kept Kuzma for years (and even re-signed him), so they probably don't hate him as a player, and if they rebuild a little of his value, they could still get a little something from him as an expiring contract next year.

You know wizards can’t take Kuzma back until February right?

[Kineto]

This trade is based on the assumption that Giannis wants to give the Bucks one last chance, that Middleton and Connaughton will take their player options, and that the Spurs will stick to their plan of progressing step by step, and wait for the 2026 FA to make their big push.

Bucks
in : Devin Vassel, Blake Wesley
out : Kyle Kuzma, Pat Connaughton, 2031 2nd

Spurs
in : Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton
out : Devin Vassel, Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham, 2026 2nd (NOP or POR), 2026 2nd (OKC, DAL or PHI)

Wizards
in : Kyle Kuzma, Malaki Branham, 2031 2nd, 2026 2nd (NOP or POR), 2026 2nd (OKC, DAL or PHI)
out : Khris Middleton


Why for the Bucks ?
They are betting that the real Vassel is the 2023 version (or better) and not last year's version. The former is a good player with an OK contract; the latter is an OK player (still better than Kuzma) with a bad contract.
Considering the price to acquire him is basically nothing (Kuzma, Connaughton and a 2031 second-round pick), it's a risk worth taking for the Bucks. They also retain their 2031 first-round pick to strengthen the team.
Even if it doesn't work out as expected and Giannis leaves, Vassell is still a young player, and with the salary cap increasing, his contract won't seem so bad in a few years (the last two years are only 13% of the expected salary cap).
Wesley could be useful as a backup point guard while Lillard is away, and the Bucks have one full year to test him and see if they want to keep him.


Why the Spurs ?
If the Spurs get rid of Vassell and Johnson, they will have enough salary cap space to offer a maximum contract in the 2026 free agency, while keeping Fox, Sochan, and all their other young players (Wemby, Cassel, Harper, and the 14th pick).
However, Vassell had a poor 2024 season and had four years left on his contract, so he is a tough player to trade. With Fox, Castle and Harper in the guard spots, it will be difficult to find minutes for him next year to rebuild his value.
Middleton is an expiring contract, and he could provide some veteran leadership to the team. If he stays healthy, he could provide 20 quality minutes at the small forward position and help the team reach the playoffs.


Why for the Wizards ?
They trade the 1 year 34M$ of middleton contract for the 2 year 43M$ contract of Kuzma, and take 3 second and a flyer on a young prospect in exchange.
They kept Kuzma for years (and even re-signed him), so they probably don't hate him as a player, and if they rebuild a little of his value, they could still get a little something from him as an expiring contract next year.

You know wizards can’t take Kuzma back until February right?

I thought it was impossible to trade in a former player during the same season, but was it OK the following season?

Is it a strict one-year delay?

[Kineto]

From the CBA FAQ :

A team cannot reacquire a player it traded away during the same season (a season for this purpose being defined as starting on the first day of the regular season and ending on the last day of the Finals). If the player was traded between seasons (i.e., from the first day after the Finals to the last day prior to the start of the next regular season), it cannot reacquire the player prior to the end of the next season. If he is waived by his new team, then he cannot re-sign with his original team until the one-year anniversary of the trade, or until the July 1 following the end of his contract, whichever comes first6. However, if a team trades a player's draft rights, it can reacquire the player during the same season.

To me, the one year delay is only if the player is cut by the team where he was traded.

[GatherStepGuru]

I think Washington is satisfied with how the Kuzma-Middleton trade played out, and don’t have interest in bringing Kuz back.

[Frichuela]

I think Washington is satisfied with how the Kuzma-Middleton trade played out, and don’t have interest in bringing Kuz back.

This. 100%. The Wiz fanbase had enough of the Kuzma experience. Our young players played so much better after he was traded…

[Donkedave]

This trade is based on the assumption that Giannis wants to give the Bucks one last chance, that Middleton and Connaughton will take their player options, and that the Spurs will stick to their plan of progressing step by step, and wait for the 2026 FA to make their big push.

Bucks
in : Devin Vassel, Blake Wesley
out : Kyle Kuzma, Pat Connaughton, 2031 2nd

Spurs
in : Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton
out : Devin Vassel, Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham, 2026 2nd (NOP or POR), 2026 2nd (OKC, DAL or PHI)

Wizards
in : Kyle Kuzma, Malaki Branham, 2031 2nd, 2026 2nd (NOP or POR), 2026 2nd (OKC, DAL or PHI)
out : Khris Middleton


Why for the Bucks ?
They are betting that the real Vassel is the 2023 version (or better) and not last year's version. The former is a good player with an OK contract; the latter is an OK player (still better than Kuzma) with a bad contract.
Considering the price to acquire him is basically nothing (Kuzma, Connaughton and a 2031 second-round pick), it's a risk worth taking for the Bucks. They also retain their 2031 first-round pick to strengthen the team.
Even if it doesn't work out as expected and Giannis leaves, Vassell is still a young player, and with the salary cap increasing, his contract won't seem so bad in a few years (the last two years are only 13% of the expected salary cap).
Wesley could be useful as a backup point guard while Lillard is away, and the Bucks have one full year to test him and see if they want to keep him.


Why the Spurs ?
If the Spurs get rid of Vassell and Johnson, they will have enough salary cap space to offer a maximum contract in the 2026 free agency, while keeping Fox, Sochan, and all their other young players (Wemby, Cassel, Harper, and the 14th pick).
However, Vassell had a poor 2024 season and had four years left on his contract, so he is a tough player to trade. With Fox, Castle and Harper in the guard spots, it will be difficult to find minutes for him next year to rebuild his value.
Middleton is an expiring contract, and he could provide some veteran leadership to the team. If he stays healthy, he could provide 20 quality minutes at the small forward position and help the team reach the playoffs.


Why for the Wizards ?
They trade the 1 year 34M$ of middleton contract for the 2 year 43M$ contract of Kuzma, and take 3 second and a flyer on a young prospect in exchange.
They kept Kuzma for years (and even re-signed him), so they probably don't hate him as a player, and if they rebuild a little of his value, they could still get a little something from him as an expiring contract next year.

You know wizards can’t take Kuzma back until February right?

I thought it was impossible to trade in a former player during the same season, but was it OK the following season?

Is it a strict one-year delay?

I’m starting to wonder that myself. Back to the CBA

EDIT:

REACQUIRE

If a Team trades a player and the assignee Team subsequently places the player on waivers, the assignor Team shall not be permitted to sign the player to a new Contract (or claim the player off of waivers) before the earlier of: (i) one (1) year following the date all conditions to the trade were satisfied; or (ii) the July 1 following the last Season of the player’s Player Contract.

Have no idea what that actually means! In latest CBA

[jbk1234]

Vassell got way overrated here for a long time, BUT neither Kuzma nor Middleton are sniffing positive trade value and it going to take more than seconds to turn either one into Vassell.

The starting point for the Spurs is going to be not interested and it would take draft capital neither the Bucks nor Wizards should offer to move them off of that.

[Astaluego]

This trade is based on the assumption that Giannis wants to give the Bucks one last chance, that Middleton and Connaughton will take their player options, and that the Spurs will stick to their plan of progressing step by step, and wait for the 2026 FA to make their big push.

Bucks
in : Devin Vassel, Blake Wesley
out : Kyle Kuzma, Pat Connaughton, 2031 2nd

Spurs
in : Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton
out : Devin Vassel, Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham, 2026 2nd (NOP or POR), 2026 2nd (OKC, DAL or PHI)

Wizards
in : Kyle Kuzma, Malaki Branham, 2031 2nd, 2026 2nd (NOP or POR), 2026 2nd (OKC, DAL or PHI)
out : Khris Middleton


Why for the Bucks ?
They are betting that the real Vassel is the 2023 version (or better) and not last year's version. The former is a good player with an OK contract; the latter is an OK player (still better than Kuzma) with a bad contract.
Considering the price to acquire him is basically nothing (Kuzma, Connaughton and a 2031 second-round pick), it's a risk worth taking for the Bucks. They also retain their 2031 first-round pick to strengthen the team.
Even if it doesn't work out as expected and Giannis leaves, Vassell is still a young player, and with the salary cap increasing, his contract won't seem so bad in a few years (the last two years are only 13% of the expected salary cap).
Wesley could be useful as a backup point guard while Lillard is away, and the Bucks have one full year to test him and see if they want to keep him.


Why the Spurs ?
If the Spurs get rid of Vassell and Johnson, they will have enough salary cap space to offer a maximum contract in the 2026 free agency, while keeping Fox, Sochan, and all their other young players (Wemby, Cassel, Harper, and the 14th pick).
However, Vassell had a poor 2024 season and had four years left on his contract, so he is a tough player to trade. With Fox, Castle and Harper in the guard spots, it will be difficult to find minutes for him next year to rebuild his value.
Middleton is an expiring contract, and he could provide some veteran leadership to the team. If he stays healthy, he could provide 20 quality minutes at the small forward position and help the team reach the playoffs.


Why for the Wizards ?
They trade the 1 year 34M$ of middleton contract for the 2 year 43M$ contract of Kuzma, and take 3 second and a flyer on a young prospect in exchange.
They kept Kuzma for years (and even re-signed him), so they probably don't hate him as a player, and if they rebuild a little of his value, they could still get a little something from him as an expiring contract next year.

You know wizards can’t take Kuzma back until February right?

Send Kuzma to the Bulls for P. Williams? Maybe the Bulls add some SRP? The Wizards are in a position to take a chance on a prospect like Williams, in my opinion.

[Kineto]

Vassell got way overrated here for a long time, BUT neither Kuzma nor Middleton are sniffing positive trade value and it going to take more than seconds to turn either one into Vassell.

The starting point for the Spurs is going to be not interested and it would take draft capital neither the Bucks nor Wizards should offer to move them off of that.

With his current contract and last year's production, I would also evaluate Vassel as a negative asset.

He is the best player of the three and the one with the best chance of improving to a positive value, but he has four years left on his contract (27M$ per year), so the risk is greater if he doesn't.

[Lucky Once]

The Wizards own 15 second round picks between now and 2031. Kuzma wanted out of Washington and the team seems to be happy using his minutes on youngsters. Not seeing a lot of incentive here.

[wemby]

Players' value fluctuates wildly from season to season, I'm not a Vassell minimalist but I do acknowledge if the Spurs draft Harper there is a backcourt crunch incoming and Vassell is likely a victim, since Spurs probably would expect to pair their top guards (Fox, Castle, Harper) and Wemby with more of your standard 3&D types (more rebounding, better defense and spot up 3 point shooting, less of anything else), and at his salary Vassell might not have the leeway to justify his paycheck. If the Spurs indeed do draft Harper (I fully expect them to) and they feel confident in their chances of landing an impact free agent in 2026, this should definitely be considered, irrespective of an extra asset going one way or the other.

As for the Bucks, if Giannis stays Vassell is a player I could see being a target of them, as a buy low opportunity for a talented young vet coming off a down year. They are almost devoid of assets and this could be a swing to put some talent around Giannis and convince him to stay.

I don't see the Wizards taking back Kuzma again, chemistry might be weird. But it shouldn't be an unsurmountable obstacle, it can probably be overcome by including another team.

All in all, it's not a crazy proposal but it depends on a few things aligning to really make sense for all teams involved.

[Ron Swanson]

I'm not even a big Vassell fan but this seems way too good for Milwaukee. I don't see the Spurs doing this.