The Washington Wizards yesterday acquired ahead Khris Middleton, guard Akeem Jamaal (AJ) Johnson, the best to swap a 2028 first-round choose, and money issues from the Milwaukee Bucks in trade for ahead Kyle Kuzma and a 2025 second-round choose. As a part of a four-team commerce, the Wizards additionally acquired the draft rights to Mathias Lessort from the New York Knicks and dealt Patrick Baldwin Jr. to San Antonio.
“We look ahead to welcoming Khris and AJ to Washington” said Normal Supervisor Will Dawkins. “Khris is a championship-caliber participant whose professionalism will assist our group in a number of methods. AJ’s addition to our roster gives us one other younger, athletic, and versatile guard.”
Middleton (6-7, 222) was chosen by the Detroit Pistons within the 2012 NBA Draft (thirty ninth general) earlier than being traded to Milwaukee in 2013. A 3-time All-Star (2019, 2020, 2022), he was additionally a member of Staff USA that captured gold in the course of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In 762 profession video games (657 begins) throughout 13 seasons with Detroit and Milwaukee, Middleton holds profession averages of 16.7 factors, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per recreation. He has made 9 playoff appearances (80 video games) and began each recreation throughout Milwaukee’s playoff run to the 2021 NBA Championship. Within the postseason, Middleton has averaged 20.6 factors, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per recreation.
Johnson (6-5, 170) was chosen by the Bucks within the 2024 NBA Draft (twenty third general). He’s at present averaging 2.9 factors, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in seven video games with Milwaukee this season. Johnson has additionally appeared in 25 video games (Tip-Off Event + Common Season) for the Bucks’ G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, averaging 13.4 factors, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 28.6 minutes per recreation. He joins Alex Sarr (second), Bub Carrington (14th), and Kyshawn George (twenty fourth) because the fourth participant from the 2024 NBA Draft to be added to Washington’s roster.
In three-and-a-half seasons with Washington, Kuzma appeared in 232 video games (230 begins) averaging 19.5 factors, 7.2 rebounds, and three.7 assists. In 32 appearances for the Wizards this season, he averaged 15.2 factors, 5.8 rebounds, and a couple of.5 assists per recreation. Kuzma was initially acquired by Washington in a commerce with the Los Angeles Lakers previous to the 2021-2022 season.
“We wish to thank Kyle for his contributions throughout his time with our group,” mentioned Dawkins. “His influence on and off the court docket was felt by teammates, coaches, and followers alike. His dedication to giving again to the DMV neighborhood will go away an enduring influence. We want him and Patrick success within the subsequent chapter of their careers.”
Baldwin Jr. was traded to Washington previous to the beginning of the 2023-24 season and appeared in 60 video games, averaging 3.6 factors, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per recreation.
