Grading the Four-Team Trade That Involved Khris Middleton and Kyle Kuzma

February 6th, 2025

Just before the trade deadline ended, there were rumors swirling that the Milwaukee Bucks were going to trade Khris Middleton to get Kyle Kuzma, and sure enough, that is basically what happened, more or less, with other players and picks exchanging hands. Therefore, the Bucks made the eyebrow-raising decision to trade Middleton away for Kuzma (while other players and picks were involved), and this trade could be talked about for a long time, especially in Milwaukee’s lore. But also, the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks inserted themselves into this deal, which made this a four-team trade.

The Washington Wizards get Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, and a 2028 first round pick swap from Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Bucks get Kyle Kuzma, Jericho Sims, and a 2025 conditional second round pick from Washington (the Bucks are said to get the more favorable of the multiple second round picks the Wizards have).

The New York Knicks received Delon Wright, the rights to Hugo Besson, and cash considerations. The San Antonio Spurs received Patrick Baldwin Jr. So, let’s get to it, shall we?

Khris Middleton going to the Washington Wizards was one of the many surprising trade news that happened this week in the fast and furious world of the NBA. (Photo: Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images, via Bleacher Report)

The Washington Wizards received:
Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, and a 2028 first round pick swap (via MIL)

The 33-year former All-Star and NBA champion, Khris Middleton was a major player on the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks’ team that won it all, but he’s struggled to stay on the floor since in recent years, as he’s been plagued by injuries. Still, he’s been very solid when he has been healthy, which unfortunately, hasn’t been too often. Currently, he’s dealing with a nagging ankle injury, but Middleton will offer stability, a strong veteran presence, and solid all-around skills when available.

AJ Johnson is a very athletic combo guard that is about as unpolished as they come. He struggled last year in limited minutes in the NBL, and not getting much playing time didn’t really help his cause. He did play well in those combine scrimmage games to help his draft stock last year, but this year, he’s barely played in the NBA, but he’s shown some flashes on offense in the G-League. I had a second round grade on him last year, but while he is an unproven rookie, the Wizards could be the perfect place for him to get some playing time, and if he is able to hit his stride, he could be a solid scoring point guard off the bench for them.

The Wizards also get a first round pick swap in this deal, and it will help them in the future. How much may be uncertain, but knowing that Milwaukee has Giannis, that 2028 first round pick is probably going to be a late first. Still, it helps the Wizards, as they get a proven veteran (who is injury prone), a talented, but untested rookie, and a promising future pick. And with Middleton, they get a proven former star that could help them win more games, or they could flip him for more assets to further their rebuilding process, if they wish to do so.

Trade Grade for the Washington Wizards: B+

Kyle Kuzma will suit up for the Milwaukee Bucks, and it will be interesting to see how well the Bucks will fare with him on the team in the post-Middleton era. (Photo: Geoff Burke/Imagn Images, via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Milwaukee Bucks Received:
Kyle Kuzma, Jericho Sims, and a conditional 2025 second round pick (from WAS, the more favorable of their second round picks)

Kyle Kuzma is a young, athletic combo forward that helped the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers win the NBA championship, and when he’s dialed in, he could be the versatile, dynamic scorer his team needs him to be, and he can provide all-around play. Unfortunately, that really hasn’t been the case this year, as his shooting percentages are way down across the board. His shooting percentage splits are 42% field goal percentage, 28% three-point percentage, and 60% free throw percentage, and shot selection and efficiency haven’t been his strong suits this year. He’ll need a proven coach and veterans to rein him in, and just maybe playing alongside Giannis will give him more open shots and some much needed tutelage to increase his output, shooting percentages, and efficiency with Milwaukee. But he’ll also need them to rein him in on the defensive end to make sure he can defend as well as he is capable of, but Kuzma’s defense has been underwhelming in recent years.

Jericho Sims is an athletic, energetic undersized center that excels as a rim-running backup big man that can provide some solid interior play off the bench. He hasn’t played as much this year, but he is very capable of being a backup big man on a solid NBA team.

The Bucks also get a conditional 2025 second round pick, and they might be able to get an interesting player with that pick. Overall, the Bucks made an eyebrow-raising decision to trade away Middleton for Kuzma, and while it may not look that great for them on paper, they are banking on Kuzma’s youth, untapped upside, and potential to thrive on a good team to try to help them in the present and future.

Trade Grade for the Milwaukee Bucks: C

Delon Wright is a veteran guard that will play for the New York Knicks this season.
(Photo: Aaron Gash/Associated Press, via New York Daily News)

The New York Knicks Received:
Delon Wright, the rights to Hugo Besson, and cash considerations.

Delon Wright historically is a versatile, skilled combo guard that can offer some playmaking and defense, but this season, he’s offered very little, as he has not played much or shot the ball well at all.

If Wright can play like how he did in past years, the Knicks could be getting a solid bench guard. Otherwise, if he doesn’t, he could end up being a benchwarmer on their team. Hugo Besson has never played in an NBA regular season or playoff game, and it’s unclear and uncertain if he’ll ever do so, but if he does, he’s an agile, skilled combo guard that has promising scoring skills, and the talent to develop into a sixth man, but has shot selection issues. The Knicks also were said to have received an undisclosed amount of cash.

Trade Grade for the New York Knicks: C

Patrick Baldwin Jr. is a former Golden State Warrior that will get a chance to play for the Spurs this season. (Photo: Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images, via Fansided’s Behind the Buck Pass)

The San Antonio Spurs Received:
Patrick Baldwin Jr.

He is a tall, athletic combo forward that has promising shooting and defensive skills, but he’s played very little over the years. He’s shot well in limited minutes off the bench, and his versatility and upside makes him an intriguing prospect, but he might not get much playing time on an emerging Spurs’ team that is trying to make the playoffs.

Trade Grade for the San Antonio Spurs: B-

In all, here are the trade grades for the four teams that were involved in making this deal happen.

Washington Wizards: B+
San Antonio Spurs: B-
New York Knicks: C
Milwaukee Bucks: C

Those are my thoughts and evaluations on how these teams fared in this trade, and I don’t think Kuzma was an upgrade over Middleton. If anything, Kuzma might be a significant downgrade instead, because Middleton has been quite effective when healthy. The Wizards looked to have come out the best in this trade, as they get Middleton, a former first round pick in AJ Johnson, and a 2028 first round pick swap. It will be interesting to see what happens both this season and in the future, to see how things work out for the teams that were involved in making this trade. The trade details can be found on SalarySwish. Thanks for reading.