The Wizards’ trade deadline exodus has reportedly begun.
According to Shams Charania, Washington has agreed to a trade sending Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and second-round draft compensation to Milwaukee for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson and a first-round pick swap in 2028.
Kuzma, who is averaging 15.2 points and 5.8 rebounds this season, is in the second season of the four-year, $90 million guaranteed deal he signed in the summer of 2023, and per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Kuzma has agreed to reduce a portion of the trade bonus in his contract, which will help Milwaukee stay below the second apron of the salary cap and be able to have more flexibility now and in the future.
Baldwin is averaging 2.1 points in 4.6 minutes per game in 22 games off the bench, and is on an expiring contract. As for the compensation, Washington has multiple picks in each of the next three years, although some are held up to possible convey to the Knicks from a previous trade.
Milwaukee also earns a $5 million trade exception from the difference of salaries.
In return, the Wizards get Middleton, who has a $34 million player option for next season, and is averaging 12.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 23 games this year. They also add Johnson, last year’s No. 23 pick (and on his rookie deal), who has played just seven games this season.
This may just be the beginning for the Wizards, as Jonas Valanciunas is reportedly on the block, and Jordan Poole may be as well.