Kyle Kuzma is heading to the Milwaukee Bucks in a surprising trade that sends Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards, leaving many fans confused and baffled by how either team improved.
Middleton has struggled this season as he continues to recover from offseason surgery to both ankles. The 33-year-old is averaging just 12.6 points per game, his lowest average since the 2013-14 season.
Kuzma hasn’t exactly been shooting lights out, either. The 29-year-old is averaging 15.2 points per game, his lowest average since the 2020-21 season.
The Bucks (26-22) currently hold the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference standings, while the Wizards (8-41) are dead last.
Wizards Fans, Bucks Fans React to Surprising Trade
Bucks fans jumped onto social media to share their thoughts on the surprise trade. Middleton, a key member from the Bucks’ 2021 championship team, has long been a crowd favorite in Milwaukee so the comments were dire.
“If you’re a Bucks fan I want you to know it’s okay for you to do something violent today,” one fan wrote.
Another fan said: “I’m out as a @Bucks fan now. I understand the business and we got fleeced.”
IF YOURE NOT RIOTING YOURE NOT A BUCKS FAN pic.twitter.com/kU6Ilegmaj
— Barrett (@bcash181) February 5, 2025
Finally, this Bucks fan captured everything: IF YOURE NOT RIOTING YOURE NOT A BUCKS FAN.
Meanwhile, Wizards fans were mostly overjoyed. Washington has been very bad this year, but completing this kind of trade indicates that the front office might be competent after all.
One fan wrote: “The Wizards have a competent front office for the first time in franchise history. Must be great for their fans.”
Another fan summed it up: “It’s officially official. Kyle Kuzma was basically done in DC anyway. He made that pretty apparent via recent comments. So Wizards front office made necessary moves as they continue to move pieces and collect draft picks.”
Kyle Kuzma is no longer a Washington wizard pic.twitter.com/ZwUgcZSYsg
— The Can-Man (@kiing_rod) February 5, 2025
Explaining the Bucks-Wizards Trade
One major element on how the Bucks-Wizards trade came together has been credited to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
According to Jake Fischer, the two-time MVP pushed the Bucks’ front office to trade for Kuzma as he watched Middleton suffer one injury after another over the past several years. Middleton has missed 25 games this season after missing 27 games last year and 49 games during the 2022-23 season.
Milwaukee drops below the second apron with the trade.
Washington adds AJ Johnson, the 23rd pick in the 2024 Draft. Johnson turned 20-years old in December.
The Wizards now have a valuable first round pick swap with Milwaukee in 2028.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 5, 2025
Meanwhile, Kuzma reduced a portion of the trade bonus in his contract to allow Milwaukee to drop “roughly $300K” below the second apron. (The NBA’s second apron is an additional level introduced in the 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement that is $17.5 million over the luxury tax threshold.)
Along with Middleton, the Wizards receive rookie guard AJ Johnson and a first-round pick swap in 2028. The Bucks get forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. and second-round draft compensation.
