With the NBA trade deadline less than a month away, the Milwaukee Bucks must decide whether to keep their roster intact or make changes.
The Bucks have one of the NBA’s best players, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee doesn’t have to worry about him requesting a trade, but that could change if they come up short in the playoffs again.
If the Bucks want to improve their chances of winning another title, Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma makes a lot of sense as a trade target at the trade deadline. He’s an NBA champion who has averaged over 20 points the last two seasons. The Bucks could use a wing scorer who’s had postseason success.
It’s actually possible that the Bucks can acquire him. Newsweek proposed the following trade between the Bucks and Washington Wizards:
Bucks receive: Kuzma, Johnny Davis
Wizards receive: Khris Middleton, 2026 first-round pick
Financially, Kuzma is a realistic option even though the Bucks can’t aggregate contracts. They are above the NBA’s second tax apron, which prevents them from combining salaries on their payroll in a trade.
Why acquiring Kuzma isn’t a pipedream for Milwaukee
Kuzma isn’t as productive this season compared to previous. He’s averaging 14.5 points and 5.2 rebounds, shooting 43% and 25.3% from three-point range.
That would hurt his trade value, which could make it easier for Milwaukee to acquire him. He is in the second season of a four-year, $90 million contract.
The Bucks must also consider if Middleton will ever be the player he once was, as injuries have affected his availability and production for the last few years. If the Bucks decide he won’t, Kuzma might be the best player they can get in return for him.
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