Giannis Antetokounmpo Reportedly Played Key Role in Bucks Acquiring Kyle Kuzma

Milwaukee shipped off Giannis's longtime teammate Khris Middleton to the Wizards.

Giannis and Kuzma are now teammates in Milwaukee. / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks and the Washington Wizards continued the NBA's wild 2024-25 trade deadline on Wednesday morning, agreeing to a deal that sends Khris Middleton to Washington and Kyle Kuzma to Milwaukee.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo played a key role in the move that sent his longtime teammate to Washington. Fischer shared the following message on X (former Twitter) on Wednesday:

I’m told a key element of the trade talks that brought Kyle Kuzma to Milwaukee in exchange for championship mainstay Khris Middleton: a large vote of support for Kuzma from one Giannis Antetokounmpo.

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 5, 2025

Cold world, considering Middleton was Giannis' running mate with the Bucks for the last twelve seasons. The two won the 2020-21 NBA Finals together and combined for 12 All-Star game appearances since 2013.

The Greek Freak now pairs up with Kuzma, who reportedly reduced his trade kicker to help Milwaukee with roster flexibility. The Bucks still remain below the NBA's second salary cap apron following the transaction.

To help Milwaukee build out their roster now and in the future, Kyle Kuzma is reducing a portion of the trade bonus in his contract, sources tell ESPN.

The reduced trade bonus allows Milwaukee to remain below the second apron.

Kuzma won a championship with the Lakers in 2020.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 5, 2025

The full trade, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, involves the Bucks sending Middleton, AJ Johnson, and a pick swap to the Wizards in exchange for Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and second-round draft pick compensation.

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