Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin

[averageposter]

As part of the Kyle Kuzma-Khris Middleton trade, Washington will get 2028 swap rights with the Bucks' first-round pick that is already swapped with Portland, according to a league source. That means Washington can swap the lesser of the two selections. That pick is also protected 15-30 if the Blazers haven't yet conveyed their future pick to the Bulls by that time — i.e,, they can only execute the swap if they actually have the pick.

The Wizards will send back to Milwaukee the second-most favorable of its 2025 second-round picks originally belonging to Detroit, Phoenix or Golden State.

So, we still have our 2031 first? We didn't swap that, too?

Correct we swapped the swap already in place for the 28 pick, which If I am being honest I did not know was an option

[LUKE23]

Can someone explain how we are better? Lets say Middleton could only play 25-28 mpg in the playoffs. He's still an efficient scorer, floor spacer, and a very good passer. Are people expecting that Kuzma is all off a sudden going to shoot a career high from 3 here? I just don't get it. Stop looking at PPG.

[tedbrogen]

As part of the Kyle Kuzma-Khris Middleton trade, Washington will get 2028 swap rights with the Bucks' first-round pick that is already swapped with Portland, according to a league source. That means Washington can swap the lesser of the two selections. That pick is also protected 15-30 if the Blazers haven't yet conveyed their future pick to the Bulls by that time — i.e,, they can only execute the swap if they actually have the pick.

The Wizards will send back to Milwaukee the second-most favorable of its 2025 second-round picks originally belonging to Detroit, Phoenix or Golden State.

So, we still have our 2031 first? We didn't swap that, too?

Correct. They now have that pick, that 2nd, the 2nd they just got, and can aggregate salaries in a trade.

[humanrefutation]

So, we still have our 2031 first? We didn't swap that, too?

That pick is about to get sent out for DeRozan.

I figured that it was likely we were going to make a follow up move. Moreso with the 2031 pick.

[ReddRum]

I honestly think Kuz will be OK for you guys. My least favorite wizard but if someone can control his terrible shot selection, he has good size and can score a little in a 6th man role or as a 4th option. He's dropped 30 pts twice in the past 10 days.

Baldwin is a total lost cause though. Couldn't even get playing time on a 8 win team starting 3 19 year olds and a 20 year old.

Nothing worse than a Wizards fan telling us his LEAST favorite player was just traded to our team. LOL Absolutely EPIX!

[MiltownMadness]

Can someone explain how we are better? Lets say Middleton could only play 25-28 mpg in the playoffs. He's still an efficient scorer, floor spacer, and a very good passer. Are people expecting that Kuzma is all off a sudden going to shoot a career high from 3 here? I just don't get it. Stop looking at PPG.

Quite the opposite, sounds like you're the one looking at PPG to me (not sure who just looks at PPG in 2025). Khris is completely done man, there is a 50/50 chance he is unplayable every night atp and when he is playable, he is done being anything but a huge negatively defensively. Khris just isn't a very positive player anymore, it hurts but its the truth. Kuzma has been pretty damn good in 3rd/4th option roles before. That's the cope and partially the truth

[tedbrogen]

Can someone explain how we are better? Lets say Middleton could only play 25-28 mpg in the playoffs. He's still an efficient scorer, floor spacer, and a very good passer. Are people expecting that Kuzma is all off a sudden going to shoot a career high from 3 here? I just don't get it. Stop looking at PPG.

Bucks staff doesn’t think Midds can even give them 25mpg in the playoffs. And they didn’t want to pay him $34M next season for what he has given them this season.

[MissKhriddleton]

Can someone explain how we are better? Lets say Middleton could only play 25-28 mpg in the playoffs.

Let me stop you right there.

[JayMKE]

Can someone explain how we are better? Lets say Middleton could only play 25-28 mpg in the playoffs. He's still an efficient scorer, floor spacer, and a very good passer. Are people expecting that Kuzma is all off a sudden going to shoot a career high from 3 here? I just don't get it. Stop looking at PPG.

I guess the thought is Kuzma is shooting terribly from deep, shooting a Giannis like percentage the line, and playing zero defense because he cares so much about winning

Guy praised himself for being selfish and getting his a month or so ago

[humanrefutation]

Can someone explain how we are better? Lets say Middleton could only play 25-28 mpg in the playoffs. He's still an efficient scorer, floor spacer, and a very good passer. Are people expecting that Kuzma is all off a sudden going to shoot a career high from 3 here? I just don't get it. Stop looking at PPG.

If they could count on Khris giving us 25-28 minutes in the playoffs, I don't think they make this move.

[MiltownMadness]

Think a big body getting +30 minutes a night gives us quite a few wins for sure, yeah. Unless Kuzma goes scorched earth and takes tons of shots away from Dame/Giannis

[LUKE23]

Quite the opposite, sounds like you're the one looking at PPG to me (not sure who just looks at PPG in 2025). Khris is completely done man, there is a 50/50 chance he is unplayable every night atp and when he is playable, he is done being anything but a huge negatively defensively. Khris just isn't a very positive player anymore, it hurts but its the truth. Kuzma has been pretty damn good in 3rd/4th option roles before. That's the cope and partially the truth

Even with the Lakers, he was at best average efficiency overall and MAYBE league average from 3. Recently, his shot has regressed. His shot selection is poor. I just don't see it. I do expect him to be a better defender than Middleton, but I don't think this makes our offense better.

[ReasonablySober]

Can someone explain how we are better? Lets say Middleton could only play 25-28 mpg in the playoffs.

Let me stop you right there.

Yup.

[MiltownMadness]

Quite the opposite, sounds like you're the one looking at PPG to me (not sure who just looks at PPG in 2025). Khris is completely done man, there is a 50/50 chance he is unplayable every night atp and when he is playable, he is done being anything but a huge negatively defensively. Khris just isn't a very positive player anymore, it hurts but its the truth. Kuzma has been pretty damn good in 3rd/4th option roles before. That's the cope and partially the truth

Even with the Lakers, he was at best average efficiency overall and MAYBE league average from 3. Recently, his shot has regressed. His shot selection is poor. I just don't see it. I do expect him to be a better defender than Middleton, but I don't think this makes our offense better.

Kuzma was never a positive because his shooting, he can provide things we actually need.

I think Khris being seen as someone you could rely on just isn't a thing anymore. I do not like Kuzma, but he will help this team more than Khris most likely unless he is a TOTAL moron (could be)

[tedbrogen]

So, we still have our 2031 first? We didn't swap that, too?

Correct we swapped the swap already in place for the 28 pick, which If I am being honest I did not know was an option

And only comes into play if the Bucks are worse than both the Wiz and Blazers in 27-28.

[JayMKE]

Think a big body getting +30 minutes a night gives us quite a few wins for sure, yeah. Unless Kuzma goes scorched earth and takes tons of shots away from Dame/Giannis

Any shot he takes from anyone besides maybe Ajax is an L. Actually Ajax’s numbers are better.

[Ryan5UW]

Until the trade deadline passes, I'm going to convince myself we're turning Kuzma around and won't be stuck with him.

[crkone]

Kuzma is shooting 30.4% on wide open 3s.

[tedbrogen]

Think a big body getting +30 minutes a night gives us quite a few wins for sure, yeah. Unless Kuzma goes scorched earth and takes tons of shots away from Dame/Giannis

Dame and Giannis will not allow that.

[MiltownMadness]

And with that being said I would've still just kept Khris. I just love the guy and care for the sentimental value of him being here, idc if its dumb I'm a fan