A struggling Kyle Kuzma has been traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Khris Middleton. Grab your jerseys and popcorn, and let’s dive into the most mind-boggling NBA trade deadline week we’ve seen in a long time! Just when we thought the Mavericks and Lakers swapping Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis was the end of it, we are hit with another rather weird trade. Let’s break it down because this move left some grinning ear-to-ear and others with their game faces on. Let’s look at the scoreboard, shall we?
Was Trading for Kuzma Smart
Slamming onto the winners’ court is Kyle Kuzma. Judging someone based on their team’s performance might seem harsh, but let’s face it: Kuzma has had a rocky season with the Wizards. The team’s performance dips when he’s on the court, and he manages a meager 15.2 points with a below-average eFG%. But the game’s not over for him yet. This trade is the Hail Mary pass Kuzma needed. With the Bucks, he’ll get a chance to play alongside the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, which hopefully will get him back to playing the defense we all remember from his time with the Lakers.
Taking a three-pointer into the losers’ bucket are the Milwaukee Bucks. Sure, Middleton is past his prime, but swapping him for Kuzma seems like a risky move. Middleton is known for his exceptional passing skills and his reputable status in the Bucks’ history. The return of a second-stringer and a rookie, regardless of their potential, seems like a misstep for the Bucks, who just gave up a treasured franchise legend.
Also warming the bench on the losers’ side is Khris Middleton. Middleton, a near-lifer with the Bucks and part of their 2021 championship team, is now headed to one of the NBA’s worst-performing teams. It’s a blow, no doubt, but here’s hoping it’s the opening shot in a new game where he might become one of the prime buyout candidates this season.
Now, flipping the coin, the Washington Wizards are having a ball on the winners’ court. The young gun, AJ Johnson, might be the promising talent they need. Alongside newly acquired talent, the Wizards might have lost a game or two in the short term, but this deal may very well put them on the path to a winning streak in the long run.
Final Thoughts
In the grand scheme of things, this trade has thrown us a bit of a curveball. It’s a mixed bag of three-pointers and bricks, but it’s the kind of play that keeps us hoops fans on our feet. Kuzma has been very inconsistent, playing poorly, but has a solid skill set. Maybe playing on a team that is in shambles has affected his mentality and drive to bring his “A” game. So, let’s keep our eyes on the scoreboard and see how these moves play out for the Milwaukee Bucks moving forward. Will Kuzma revive his career? Time will tell.
