NBA Trade Rumors: Bucks & Wizards Talking Notable 1-for-1 Trade

The Milwaukee Bucks are in a bit of a scramble heading to the trade deadline, as they are trying to maintain relevance in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They're on a four-game losing streak, and need to do something by Thursday at 3pm ET.

The latest word has Milwaukee in talks with the Washington Wizards on a notable one-for-one trade.

The Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards have discussed a Khris Middleton-for-Kyle Kuzma trade, per @JoshuaBRobbins & @davidaldridgedc

“Two league sources said the Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks have explored a potential deal in which Milwaukee would send Khris Middleton and… pic.twitter.com/tFH3AsvDyJ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 4, 2025

“Two league sources said the Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks have explored a potential deal in which Milwaukee would send Khris Middleton and draft capital to Washington for Kuzma," according to Josh Robbins and David Aldridge in The Athletic.

One of the Bucks' goals, they say, is to move under the second tax apron, which a deal like this would accomplish. But Washington "almost certainly" will demand a future pick or two be attached with Middleton in such a trade scenario.

Kuzma, 29, is surrounded by a league-worst team in D.C. (8-41), and his performance this season hasn't been helped by this situation. Kuzma is posting career-worst shooting numbers from two-point range, three-point range, and even the free throw line in averaging four-year lows in 15.2 points per game, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

Middleton, 33, is nowhere near the All-Star player he used to be. He's averaging an 11-year low 12.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 23 minutes a game, while playing just 23 games overall.

The Bucks' former 3-time All-Star and NBA champion has one year left on his contract (player option) at $34M, while Kuzma has two more years at a $20M AAV.