Shams: MIL/WAS: Kuzma for Middleton

[HornetJail]

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@ShamsCharania
Breaking: The Milwaukee Bucks are trading Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson and a pick swap to the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and second-round draft compensation, sources tell ESPN.

[HornetJail]

Middleton must be completely done because yikes

[Scoot McGroot]

Milwaukee cuts from $5m to $8.5m, depending on how much of the 15% trade kicker Kuzma takes.

Interested to see how many 2nds Milwaukee gets here, and what the pick swap is.

But otherwise, Washington got paid to take the better player, and not for that much more money? Love it for them.

[OutsidetheNBA]

Surprised the Bucks gave up AJ Johnson and the pick swap, but I like the Kuzma-Middleton exchange for them. Makes them cheaper and Kuzma is a good short-term and long-term fit next to Giannis.

[drosestruts]

Initial reaction is that I don't really like it for either team

[daoneandonly]

Love it for the Wiz, get AJ Johnson and rid themselves of the empty stat arrogant Kuz.

But I thought Mil couldnt aggregate?

[BBallFreak]

I hate this for the bucks. They just got markedly worse and paid for the privilege...

[Texas Chuck]

yep Middleton must be held together by bailing wire. Also, Miami just lost a Butler team.

Good deal for the Wizards.

[Devilanche]

Wasn’t AJ showing some promise of role player status ?

Middleton must be unreliable in terms of expected future availability.

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Hate it for Milwaukee

AJ actually looks promising AND they're including a swap. Kuzma has been a tank commander for the last 2 years and no longer looks like a winning player. Baldwin Jr won't even be in the league in 2 years

[BBallFreak]

yep Middleton must be held together by bailing wire. Also, Miami just lost a Butler team.

Good deal for the Wizards.

I think that was off the table already.

[gswhoops]

Middleton must be completely done because yikes

Yeah this was my first thought as well. If they're throwing in value to swap him for a (hypothetically) worse player, he must be cooked.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Strong dislike for the Bucks here.

Wizards should try to flip Midds again and take on some additional salary.

Dallas?

[Lord_Zedd]

Love it for the Wiz, get AJ Johnson and rid themselves of the empty stat arrogant Kuz.

But I thought Mil couldnt aggregate?

Must have been done in two seperate trades with WSH TPE being used

Edit: Perhaps not.... The trade itself was enough to bring Milwaukee below the 2nd apron

[moss_is_1]

I think Kuzma is a good player who will look a lot better playing on a good team.

[ReggiesKnicks]

While Kuzma has been horrible all season, there is no reason to think all his skill and ability to play basketball at a decent level has vanished. He is going to be great next to Giannis/Dame/Lopez and his salary is in line with 4th-5th starter money at ~20 Million per year.

I am guessing the swap is a complicated one shared with Portland in one of the years as tying up the 2031 pick as a swap neuters its value moving forward.

[eminence]

Seems like a low upside move for Milwaukee. I'd have rather bet on Middleton bouncing back.

[gswhoops]

Hate it for Milwaukee

AJ actually looks promising AND they're including a swap. Kuzma has been a tank commander for the last 2 years and no longer looks like a winning player. Baldwin Jr won't even be in the league in 2 years

Hey, show some respect for Peanut Butter Jelly time.

But yeah, I also hate this for Milwaukee. Kuzma isn't a winning player and he's a bad roster fit next to Giannis/BroLo/Dame.

[mcfly1204]

This is like trading in a 2010 Lexus for a 2015 Kia, there has to be more to come.

[Texas Chuck]

Strong dislike for the Bucks here.

Wizards should try to flip Midds again and take on some additional salary.

Dallas?

I think realistically Dallas can't get to his number without moving too many contributors. He is the the right kind of guy for Dallas though if he has anything left.