<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-news-khris-middleton-makes-33-3m-contract-decision');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wizards’ Khris Middleton makes $33.3M contract decision');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Khris-Middleton-makes-33.3M-contract-decision.jpg"><figcaption>Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr</figcaption></figure><h1>Wizards’ Khris Middleton makes $33.3M contract decision</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-23T12:40:40-07:00">June 23rd, 12:40pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-23T12:40:56-07:00">June 23rd, 12:40pm</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/chris.spiering.3" rel="facebook">Chris Spiering</a>Chris Spiering graduated from the University of San Diego with a Communication Studies Degree. He spent his final year as the Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris manages the betting team at ClutchPoints and contributes about the NFL, MLB, and NBA, but he follows most sports, including NCAA Basketball. Chris also covers San Diego State men's basketball for East Village Times.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-rumors-star-draft-prospect-washington-targeting-trade-up">Washington Wizards</a> forward Khris Middleton made a decision on Monday that was a no-brainer. The former champion with the Milwaukee Bucks signed a 3-year, $93 million deal with a player option with the Bucks in 2023 and will play out his final season of the contract after <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1937223535384293629" rel="noopener">picking up his option</a> with the Wizards. The former champion will earn $33.3 million this season for a team that lacks a clear identity.</p><p>Middleton is a veteran who has dealt with nagging injuries for part of his career. Taking the option and staying with the team was smart for his future. The Wizards have a different plan for the future, but they understood that taking on his contract was a part of the trade that sent <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/bucks-rumors-how-giannis-antetokounmpo-really-felt-about-khris-middleton-kyle-kuzma-trade">Kyle Kuzma to the Bucks for Middleton</a>. Unless the Wizards make a huge jump in their progression, staying with the Wizards does not make a lot of sense for his career. We could see him take his talents to a contender after next season, unless he is traded before that.</p><p>The 33-year-old still brings a lot to the table. He averaged 11.9 points per game on 47.5% shooting in somewhat of a lost season. Those were his lowest numbers since his rookie season with the Detroit Pistons. He has averaged at least 15 points per game since 2017.</p><p>The Wizards roster contains a few <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-rumors-marcus-smart-trade-market-details-surface">veterans like Marcus Smart</a> and Malcolm Brogdon, both of whom have had a lot of success in the NBA. Smart won a Defensive Player of the Year award with the Boston Celtics, and then a season later, Brogdon won Sixth Man of the Year with the Celtics. Now, both are in Washington, helping to try and turn things around. Jordan Poole and Alexandre Sarr are the future, and then the 2025 NBA Draft is on Wednesday, where the Wizards will have the 6th overall pick.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wizards’ Khris Middleton makes $33.3M contract decision

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/indiana-pacers/exclusive-aaron-nesmith-dad-reflects-khris-middleton-impact-son-path-indiana');   ga('set', 'title', 'Exclusive: Aaron Nesmith’s dad reveals Khris Middleton’s impact on son’s Pacers path');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Exclusive-Aaron-Nesmith-s-dad-reflects-on-Khris-Middleton-s-impact-son-s-NBA-Finals-path-1.jpg"><figcaption>David Richard-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Exclusive: Aaron Nesmith’s dad reveals Khris Middleton’s impact on son’s Pacers path</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-16T08:05:58-07:00">June 16th, 8:05am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-16T08:16:45-07:00">June 16th, 8:16am</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>OKLAHOMA CITY — Before Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith reached the NBA, his dad, William Nesmith, would drop him off at a gym for early morning workouts with Washington Wizards guard Khris Middleton. Middleton, eight years Aaron’s senior, was entering his first season with the Milwaukee Bucks at the time. For William, those workouts would forever change their lives, planting a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/boston-celtics/exclusive-celtics-aaron-nesmith-talks-rookie-year-dwyane-wade-nba-draft-and-more">seed that flowered into Nesmith’s promising NBA career</a>.</p><p>Nesmith attended high school at Porter-Gaud, located in Charleston, South Carolina. Middleton, a Porter-Gaud alum, took a teenage Nesmith under his wing.</p><p>“I have to tip my hat to Khris Middleton,” Aaron Nesmith’s dad, William, told ClutchPoints. “Khris Middleton came from the same high school as Aaron. So, he would be working out in the summertime. And he allowed Aaron to come in. So, when I took Aaron to the gym at six o’clock in the morning, he could see, when we got there, that Khris was already wet up in sweat. That kind of let him know the kind of effort it takes if you want to get to this level.</p><p>“So, those things, I’m forever very grateful because he knows what he has to do. He is a workaholic. He’ll go to the gym. He’d put up a thousand shots. Stuff like that. That boosts him.”</p><p>The offseason workouts became a routine as Nesmith grew through high school.</p><p>“It was becoming a regular thing as he got older. So, that helped him,” William added. “Khris would mentor him. Teach him little things. And I think it really helped him.”</p><p>One of William’s favorite games is a full-circle moment between his son and Middleton, facing off in Game 3 of last year’s first-round series between the Pacers and the Bucks. After Nesmith made a pair of free throws to extend the Pacers’ lead (111-108), Middleton drained a game-tying three over Nesmith, sending the game into overtime.</p><p>“It was like a dogfight out there. You would never think they’re good friends because they didn’t cut each other any slack on the floor,” William said. “To me, that was just awesome to see. Aaron had to guard him.”</p><p>The Pacers would go on to win 121-118 in overtime and eventually the series before reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, where an injury-riddled Pacers team lost 4-0 to the Boston Celtics, the team that traded Nesmith two years prior.</p><h2><b>Aaron Nesmith ‘blindsided’ by Celtics’ trade to Pacers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Pacers-forward-Aaron-Nesmith-in-his-rookie-season.jpg"><figcaption>David Richard-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Aaron Nesmith’s 52.2% three-point shooting at Vanderbilt caught the Celtics’ eye in 2020. Despite suffering a season-ending foot injury in his sophomore campaign, the Celtics selected Nesmith with the 14th overall pick. Still, he struggled to find consistent playing time as All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s backup. Then, Aaron was traded to the Pacers in 2022.</p><p>“He was disappointed. He liked playing for Boston. He was actually out playing golf when he got the call,” Aaron Nesmith’s dad told ClutchPoints. “He didn’t know. So, he was blindsided by it and wasn’t so happy about that.”</p><p>From the work ethic veteran Khris Middleton instilled, Nesmith went from his first appearance in the NBA Finals straight to the gym to work on his offense.</p><h2><b>Rick Carlisle, Pacers’ new ‘humble kid’ in town</b></h2><p>Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle saw plenty of room for growth in his new third-year forward. With Nesmith coming off a trip to the NBA Finals with the Celtics, Carlisle was eager to see how Aaron would adapt to his new surroundings.</p><p>“He was a humble kid who had a two-year experience in Boston, where he played some, but not a whole lot,” Carlisle told ClutchPoints. “But he had competed every day with some of the highest-level players in the world.”</p><p>Carlisle recalled his first conversation with Nesmith.</p><p>“He called me and said, “Hey, can I come to summer league?” I said, ‘sure’ and he goes, “No, I wanna play on the summer league team.” And I said, ‘Are you in shape?’ He said, “Oh, I’m in shape. I’m ready.” I said, “Well, come on out.” And he came out, and he played two, three summer league games,” Carlisle added.</p><p>Nesmith’s humble approach as a third-year forward impressed his new head coach.</p><p>“He wanted to jump in, and it was important for him to be a part of something,” Carlisle told ClutchPoints. “I thought his effort to do that was exceptional, and from there, he went from a guy who was a player off the bench to eventually earning a starting position. Now, he’s become one of our really important guys on both sides of the ball. I’m proud of him. He’s the kind of guy that any team would want.”</p><p>While some question whether the Celtics gave up on Nesmith too soon, his father will always be appreciative of the first NBA franchise that took a chance on his son.</p><p>“I’m never ever going to be angry at Boston because Boston picked him up in the lottery with a broken foot,” William told ClutchPoints. “It didn’t seem like it was going to work out in Boston. So, I was happy when he came over here and he got a chance to play because I realized when you get to this level, you still need a little luck, and you need to be in the right place.</p><p>“You take a team like Boston, which was a high-quality team, and thought they gave away nothing, is the same person that helped another team [get] there that you declared, ‘Oh, they’re not that kid,'” he concluded.</p><h2><b>Aaron Nesmith emerges as Pacers’ starting forward</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Pacers-forward-Aaron-Nesmith.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/indiana-pacers/pacers-news-aaron-nesmith-agrees-3-year-33-million-extension-with-indiana">Aaron Nesmith inked a three-year, $33 million extension</a> with the Pacers, which turned into a fruitful investment. After averaging 12.0 points, including shooting at a career-best 43.1% clip from deep during the regular season, Nesmith’s shooting spiked to 49.1% in the postseason, as he’s a big reason why the Pacers are in the NBA Finals, taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder.</p><p>Nesmith <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1925396089160835081" rel="noopener">netted a career-high 30 points</a>, including 20 in the final frame, and finished with eight threes in the Pacers’ 138-135 overtime thriller against the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Pacers made a historic 14-point comeback in the final minutes of regulation before winning in overtime.</p><p>“My comment to him was, ‘Welcome back.’ I was spoiled from watching him play at Vanderbilt, [where this] was expected of him,” Aaron Nesmith’s dad, William, told ClutchPoints. “It’s not expected of him to be in that role anymore. So, for me, I have to adjust. But he’s still thriving. I want him to play like Game 1 all the time. Just look for it, but I’m really happy with where he’s at.</p><p>“I can’t say I know that he would perform, but over the years, he’s always been good and clutch. In the last minute, he didn’t go away,” William concluded.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">WHAT A NIGHT FOR AARON NESMITH ‼️</p><p>🎯 30 PTS (20 in 4Q)<br>🎯 8 3PM (6 in 4Q)<br>🎯 2 BLK</p><p>At his best when the lights were brightest 😤 <a href="https://t.co/cbX3q8Ned2">pic.twitter.com/cbX3q8Ned2</a></p><p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1925396089160835081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>For Aaron Nesmith’s dad, watching his son compete in the NBA Finals, years removed from those early morning workouts with Khris Middleton, is surreal at times. However, it doesn’t deter him from giving his boy advice whenever he sees fit.</p><p>“I think I get on his nerves now because helping him train, coming up, I’m never satisfied,” William said with a laugh. “If everything isn’t perfect. It can be off a little bit, and I’ll tell him about it, whereas everybody else is just happy it went in. It’s just a thing, I guess, with me, never being satisfied because I know his full potential. And I’m still pushing. I’m still dad.”</p><p>Nesmith and the Pacers will look to grab a critical 3-2 lead in Game 5 on Monday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Exclusive: Aaron Nesmith’s dad reveals Khris Middleton’s impact on son’s Pacers path

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/milwaukee-bucks/bucks-rumors-how-giannis-antetokounmpo-really-felt-about-khris-middleton-kyle-kuzma-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bucks rumors: How Giannis Antetokounmpo really felt about Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Milwaukee-Bucks-forward-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-and-Washington-Wizards-forward-Khris-Middleton-hug.jpg"><figcaption>© Geoff Burke-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Bucks rumors: How Giannis Antetokounmpo really felt about Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-04-25T10:22:23-07:00">April 25th, 10:22am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-04-25T10:22:23-07:00">April 25th, 10:22am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/bucks-news-khris-middleton-wizards-kyle-kuzma-trade">Milwaukee Bucks made one of the more surprising moves ahead of the 2024-25 trade deadline</a> by <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/bucks-trade-grade-khris-middleton-kyle-kuzma-wizards-deal">sending longtime forward Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards</a> in exchange for Kyle Kuzma. While the trade raised eyebrows around the league, new reporting from NBA insider Brett Siegel has shed light on how Giannis Antetokounmpo truly felt about the decision.</p><p>According to Siegel’s report, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-speculation-bucks-future-in-doubt-siegel-scoop">Antetokounmpo approved of the Middleton-Kuzma trade</a>, but sources suggest it was not a move he expected the team to actually make. The two-time MVP shared a close relationship with Middleton, whom many around the NBA described as “family” to Giannis. That personal connection played a significant role in his reaction.</p><p>Siegel reports that Antetokounmpo’s approval of the trade has been described internally as an acknowledgment of the “inevitable.” While Giannis ultimately sided with the front office and general manager Jon Horst on the direction of the team, league sources told ClutchPoints that if the final decision were left to him, the trade may not have gone through in its current form.</p><h2><b>Giannis Antetokounmpo backed Bucks’ front office on Khris Middleton trade, but playoff results will test the decision</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Giannis-Antetokounmpo-in-the-first-half-against-the-Indiana-Pacers-at-Gainbridge-Fieldhouse.jpg"><figcaption>© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Despite the emotional weight of parting ways with Middleton, there is no reported friction between Antetokounmpo and the Bucks’ leadership. The relationship between the franchise cornerstone and the front office remains strong, according to those familiar with the situation.</p><p>Siegel also noted that while Antetokounmpo is not given full control over roster decisions, Horst and the Bucks’ executive team routinely consult with him on significant organizational moves. A similar example came in 2023, when Antetokounmpo advocated for retaining then-head coach Mike Budenholzer. Despite his input, ownership ultimately chose to move in a new direction.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/bucks-news-giannis-antetokounmpo-warns-pacers-poking-him-despite-series-hole">Bucks now face pressure to deliver results in the postseason</a>, entering Game 3 of their first-round series against the Indiana Pacers down 0-2. Milwaukee was eliminated by Indiana in the first round of last year’s playoffs as well, making this matchup a critical test for the franchise’s current core.</p><p>Kuzma, who arrived in Milwaukee as part of the deadline deal, s<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/bucks-news-kyle-kuzma-clowned-fans-brutal-tony-snell-statline-game-1-pacers">truggled in Game 1 with no points or stats other than two fouls in 22 minutes</a>. He rebounded in Game 2, finishing with 12 points, three rebounds, and one assist while shooting 5-for-10 from the field. His ability to fill Middleton’s former role on both ends of the floor will remain a key storyline as the series continues.</p><p>While Middleton was a core piece of Milwaukee’s 2021 championship run, the Bucks made a calculated decision to move in a different direction. Antetokounmpo’s reaction — one of reluctant acceptance — offers a glimpse into the delicate balance between loyalty and the pursuit of sustained success in today’s NBA.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bucks rumors: How Giannis Antetokounmpo really felt about Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-news-khris-middleton-hits-washington-with-bold-playoff-declaration');   ga('set', 'title', 'Khris Middleton hits Wizards with bold playoff declaration');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Khris-Middleton-hits-Washington-with-bold-playoff-declaration.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Khris Middleton hits Wizards with bold playoff declaration</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-28T13:23:58-07:00">March 28th, 1:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-28T13:23:58-07:00">March 28th, 1:23pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton has <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-intel-trae-young-dyson-daniels-caris-levert-khris-middleton-wizards-grizzlies-okc/" rel="noopener">expressed strong confidence</a> in the team’s potential, asserting that they are capable of making a playoff run next season. In a recent interview with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Middleton emphasized the team’s competitiveness and the growth of its young core.​</p><p>“I think this team could definitely be a playoff team,” Middleton stated. “We had a stretch recently where we were competing against some of the playoff teams in some games, where we won some games and lost some others. I think if you give us a full offseason and give us a full season together, with the improvement of the young core, which is going to be huge, I think they can take a big step because of the way they work, how talented they are, and how smart they are.”​</p><p>Middleton, acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks at the trade deadline, holds a player option for the 2025-26 season worth $34 million. His remarks come amid a challenging season for the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-news-jordan-poole-alex-sarr-shushing-doubters">Wizards, who currently hold a 16-57 record</a> following a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/indiana-pacers/pacers-news-indiana-makes-franchise-history-win-vs-wizards">162-109 loss to the Indiana Pacers</a> on Thursday night.​</p><p>Despite the team’s struggles, Middleton highlighted recent competitive performances, including victories over the Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons, as well as close contests against the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers.​</p><h2><b>Khris Middleton guides young Wizards core with eyes set on future playoff contention</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Khris-Middleton-32-looks-on-during-the-first-half-against-the-Portland-Trail-Blazers.jpg"><figcaption>© Soobum Im-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Beyond his on-court contributions, Middleton has embraced a mentorship role with Washington’s young talents, notably rookie forward Alex Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and second-year wing Bilal Coulibaly, the No. 7 pick in 2023.​</p><p>“I talk to them about daily habits, competing, and going through the process,” Middleton explained. “I’m not really trying to tell them what to do, but helping them figure it out and giving them advice along the way. I try to encourage them.”​</p><p>He also praised their development, noting, “I’ve learned how skillful they are for their age. These are first and second-year players with confidence. They have all the intangibles, like how quickly they pick up on things. The results haven’t shown, but I think they play at a high level.”​</p><p>As the Washington Wizards focus on rebuilding, internal development remains a priority. Middleton’s presence offers a bridge between the team’s veteran leadership and its emerging talent.​</p><p>Looking ahead, Washington will conclude its current five-game homestand with a matchup against the Orlando Magic (35-39) before embarking on a two-game road trip to face the Indiana Pacers (43-30) and the Boston Celtics (54-19). While the Wizards are eliminated from playoff contention this season, Middleton’s optimism suggests a belief in the team’s upward trajectory.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Khris Middleton hits Wizards with bold playoff declaration

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/milwaukee-bucks/bucks-news-khris-middleton-painful-admission-about-milwaukee-losing-faith-in-him');   ga('set', 'title', 'Khris Middleton’s painful admission about Bucks losing faith in him');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Bucks-news-Khris-Middletons-painful-admission-about-Milwaukee-losing-faith-in-him.jpg"></figure><h1>Khris Middleton’s painful admission about Bucks losing faith in him</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-23T20:05:44-08:00">February 23rd, 8:05pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-24T15:45:14-08:00">February 24th, 3:45pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>When the Milwaukee Bucks decided to trade Jrue Holiday away for Damian Lillard prior to the start of the 2023-24 season, it showed that the front office had little room for sentiment amid their ongoing quest to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with the best possible roster.</p><p>And with the Bucks struggling a bit to start the 2024-25 season, it was only a matter of time before they decided to make some changes yet again — this time trading one of the most important players in the history of the franchise, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/bucks-news-khris-middletons-heartfelt-goodbye-to-milwaukee-after-kyle-kuzma-trade">Khris Middleton, to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kyle Kuzma</a>.</p><p>The past few seasons have been quite rough for Middleton on the injury front; this past offseason, he underwent surgeries on both ankles to help get his body right for the long haul.</p><p>But the Bucks felt like they were <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6152732/2025/02/22/khris-middleton-wizards-bucks-giannis/" rel="noopener">racing up against a ticking clock</a>, and they could wait no longer for Middleton to get his footing back — much to the disappointment of the 33-year-old forward who’s always given it his all for the franchise.</p><p>“They leaned on me in a lot of different ways. Giannis goes down? They counted on me to take them to the next round, things like that. Giannis is in and out, or we need a big shot, or we need whatever, they counted on me many times. And I guess they couldn’t count on me,” Middleton said in an interview with Eric Nehm of The Athletic.</p><p>“I’ve had many opportunities. I mean, that’s the way I’ve kind of looked at it. My time ran out. Simple as that.”</p><h2><b>An ode to Khris Middleton’s successful Bucks stint</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Wizards-forward-Khris-Middleton-32-drives.jpg"><figcaption>© Geoff Burke-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Khris Middleton is a Bucks legend through and through. Picked up in the Brandon Jennings-Brandon Knight swap back in 2013, the 6’8″ forward emerged as one of the most consistent shot-creators on the wing for nearly a decade, and the Bucks relied on him quite a lot to create offense.</p><p>And it worked. They won the championship in 2021, with Middleton nailing a tough midrange jumpshot to ice the game in Game 6 of that series.</p><p>To the Bucks’ credit, they did try to give Middleton as much time as they could to recuperate. And for a while, it looked like it was only going to be a matter of time before the veteran forward regained his form for good. His performances during the 2024 NBA playoffs certainly indicated as such.</p><p>Alas, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/bucks-news-gm-hardest-revelation-khris-middleton-kyle-kuzma-trade">Bucks felt like they had to do something</a> to make better sense of the team they had, and with the cap restrictions brought forth by the new CBA, trading Middleton away was the path of least resistance when it came to acquiring some reinforcements. Nonetheless, Middleton’s No. 22 should be hanging in the Fiserv Forum rafters once his career is over.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Khris Middleton’s painful admission about Bucks losing faith in him

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-news-bilal-coulibaly-khris-middleton');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wizards’ Bilal Coulibaly gets honest about Khris Middleton');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Wizards-news-Bilal-Coulibaly-gets-honest-about-Khris-Middleton.jpg"></figure><h1>Wizards’ Bilal Coulibaly gets honest about Khris Middleton</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-23T08:05:41-08:00">February 23rd, 8:05am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-23T09:15:45-08:00">February 23rd, 9:15am</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Washington Wizards are still adjusting after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/bucks-news-khris-middleton-wizards-kyle-kuzma-trade">swapping Kyle Kuzma for Khris Middleton</a> in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 5. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/editorials/wizards-news-khris-middleton-highs-lows-washington-debut">Middleton has only played one game</a> with the Wizards (9-46) so far, but he’s already made an impression in the locker room.</p><p>Bilal Coulibaly <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1893362627880878577" rel="noopener">said that the former</a> NBA champion “is great” after Saturday’s practice.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Bilal Coulibaly is happy to have Khris Middleton around. Said that the young core has “a lot to learn” from the 13th-year vet. <a href="https://t.co/eBNvwdP0ec">pic.twitter.com/eBNvwdP0ec</a></p><p>— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1893362627880878577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“[He’s] great, man. He’s talking to everybody, he wants to help,” the second-year guard said. “Whenever you got a question, he’s gonna answer. He knows a lot about the game, so we’ve got a lot to learn from him.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/editorials/wizards-news-khris-middleton-breaks-silence-bucks-trade">Middleton mentioned on Wednesday</a> that while he’s willing to be a mentor, he also wants to focus on winning and being competitive. However, the two go hand in hand, as leading by example is one of the best ways to teach the youngsters.</p><p>It almost worked on Friday night, as Middleton took the last three shots for Washington in its 104-101 loss to the Bucks (31-24). The first was a contested three that he drilled from the top of the key over Kevin Porter Jr. with 1:01 left, which Coulibaly assisted.</p><p>Unfortunately, the second was a layup that got blocked by Brook Lopez with 33 seconds left, and the third was a contested three off an inbound pass that clanked off the backboard at the buzzer.</p><p>The 33-year-old earned the right to take those shots throughout the game, though. He knocked down his first two jumpers in the first quarter, one being his patented fadeaway from midrange and the other a swish from midrange while being fouled. He then contributed in every facet as the contest went on, totaling five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.</p><p>Jordan Poole, on the other hand, was having a quiet night. After a 42-point outing in the Wizards’ 134-130 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers before the All-Star break, the 25-year-old had just 11 points (3-11 FG, 0-5 3 PT). He usually gets the last shot, but this was the perfect time for Washington to try something new.</p><p>It didn’t work out, but <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1893361079083807030" rel="noopener">one game won’t deter</a> Wizards head coach Brian Keefe from going to Middleton, or anybody, in crunch time again.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wizards head coach Brian Keefe said that the “closer” can change from “minute to minute and game to game.” Could be Khris Middleton, Jordan Poole or someone else based on matchups and game flow.</p><p>Middleton took the last two shots last night in his first game with the team. <a href="https://t.co/SezWvj77Vi">pic.twitter.com/SezWvj77Vi</a></p><p>— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1893361079083807030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“Those things you’re always looking at minute to minute, game to game, matchups, things you’re seeing on the court live,” he said. “We’ve got multiple guys that we can put the balls in their hands and make plays, so it might not even be just those two [Middleton and Poole]. We’ve used a variety of guys down the stretch of games, so we’ll continue do that.”</p><p>Speaking of other options, Kyshawn George has made a case for himself recently.</p><h2><b>Young Wizards shine in different ways</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Wizards-Kyshawn-George.jpg"></figure><p>One of the best ways for a young player to stand out is to contribute in other ways on bad shooting nights, and George did just that on Friday. The rookie scored only four points (1-11 FG, 1-5 3PT), but added nine rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and one steal across 34 minutes. He led the team in rebounds and blocks while co-leading in assists with Poole.</p><p>This didn’t happen by accident, as George mentioned on Saturday that he’s <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1893680820537201077" rel="noopener">worked on improving his skills</a> outside of scoring.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kyshawn George told me yesterday that he’s looking to expand his game into different areas. The rookie’s primarily known for shooting, but he led the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wizards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wizards</a> in rebounds (9) and blocks (2) on Friday night, while also tying for the lead in assists (5). <a href="https://t.co/GxPuCyjHYs">pic.twitter.com/GxPuCyjHYs</a></p><p>— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1893680820537201077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“Yeah, for sure. I think I need to expand my game in different areas,” the Miami alum said. “Obviously my shooting is what I’m known for first, but now people are saying I can defend multiple positions and playmake as well. I think rebounding is an aspect that we can all control, just going and getting the ball. It’s something I’m looking forward to.”</p><p>Friday, though, was the first time that George struggled to score since Washington traded Kuzma. The 21-year-old averaged 14.8 points per game on 51.3 percent shooting from Feb. 5-12, with a 56.5 percent clip from deep. That’s significant for a player who still averages just eight points on 35.7 percent shooting (31 percent from three) on the season. Keefe could let him close out some games down the stretch if he catches fire like that again.</p><p>Kuzma’s absence seemed to help George unlock a new level in his game, at least when Middleton was also out. However, the No. 24 overall pick was still happy to see his former teammate on Friday.</p><p>“It was cool, it was nice to compete against him on the court,” George said. “It’s fun to start seeing the business side of the NBA, being able to play with someone in the beginning of the season and then compete against them in the second half.”</p><p>Kuzma had a good night in his return to D.C., leading Milwaukee with 19 points (8-19 FG, 2-7 3PT). The 29-year-old also tallied eight rebounds, five assists, and a steal across 34 minutes, showing why he’s an important contributor in the Bucks’ quest for a title.</p><p>However, there’s no doubt that dealing him was the right move for the Wizards. They need long-term pieces, and landing No. 23 overall pick AJ Johnson was well worth it. The rookie has already shown promise, as he dunked on 2025 All-Star Evan Mobley for his first bucket with Washington in its 134-124 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 7.</p><p>Johnson also led the Capital City Go-Go (Wizards’ G League affiliate) with a career-high 25 points (8-17 FG, 5-11 3 PT) and six assists across 35 minutes in their 128-107 win over the Windy City Bulls (Chicago Bulls’ affiliate) on Saturday.</p><p>That’s not to mention Colby Jones, who Washington sent down to the G League along with Johnson just hours before the game. The 22-year-old, who the Wizards acquired from the Sacramento <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/grizzlies-news-memphis-makes-marcus-smart-deal-wizards-beat-trade-deadline-buzzer">Kings in the Marcus Smart trade</a>, added 17 points (6-11 FG, 3-6 3PT) with seven rebounds, five steals, and four assists in 33 minutes.</p><p>It’s safe to say that Washington has a bevy of talented youngsters that can learn from Middleton, whether or not he takes the last shot.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wizards’ Bilal Coulibaly gets honest about Khris Middleton

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-news-khris-middleton-highs-lows-washington-debut');   ga('set', 'title', 'Khris Middleton shows highs and lows in Wizards debut');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Wizards-news-Khris-Middleton-shows-highs-and-lows-in-Washington-debut.jpg"></figure><h1>Khris Middleton shows highs and lows in Wizards debut</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-21T20:51:29-08:00">February 21st, 8:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-21T23:20:03-08:00">February 21st, 11:20pm</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/editorials/washington-wizards-2025-nba-trade-deadline-grade-marcus-smart-2">new-look Washington Wizards</a> learned plenty about both their veterans and youngsters in their 104-101 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/editorials/wizards-news-khris-middleton-breaks-silence-bucks-trade">Khris Middleton was a centerpiece</a> of those revelations in his first game with his new team.</p><p>The 33-year-old scored 12 points (4-10 FG, 1-4 3 PT) with five rebounds, two assists, and two steals across 25 minutes, but missed the last two shots in crunch time against his former squad. However, Wizards (9-46) coach Brian Keefe didn’t regret running the offense through Middleton to close out the contest.</p><p>“He’s been doing this a long time,” he said. “He’s done this at a high level, so we have trust in him to be able to execute. He’s a closer, has been for a very long time in this league, and we’re gonna take advantage of having him on our roster.”</p><p>Indeed, Middleton made his bones as a second option next to Giannis Antetokounmpo over the last decade, earning three All-Star selections and a championship ring in the process. The Texas A&amp;M alum was blocked in the paint by Brook Lopez with 33 seconds left and missed the game-tying three with Kyle Kuzma’s hand in his face at the buzzer, but that won’t keep Washington from looking to him when it matters most.</p><p>His <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/1893126325210144900" rel="noopener">contested three over</a> Kevin Porter Jr. with 1:01 left in the game showed why.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="qme">🫢 <a href="https://t.co/Er0J1Gui7W">https://t.co/Er0J1Gui7W</a> <a href="https://t.co/t02Cw1QDrF">pic.twitter.com/t02Cw1QDrF</a></p><p>— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/1893126325210144900?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Part of having veteran mentors leading the squad is letting them show the youngsters how to win. It didn’t work out in this case, but Middleton has earned the right to lead by example in the biggest moments. After all, the former Olympian owns the Bucks’ (31-24) franchise record for made threes.</p><p>Speaking of the youngsters, this was another good night for both Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George. Sarr out-dueled Antetokounmpo, scoring a career-high 22 points (8-19 FG, 4-10 3 PT) with seven rebounds, two steals, one assist, one block, and two turnovers across 26 minutes.</p><p>Meanwhile, the “Greek Freak” tallied 18 points (6-9 FG) with six boards, three assists, one steal, a rejection, and a game-high seven turnovers in 19 minutes. He also fouled out with 3:36 left.</p><p>Additionally, George made up for his poor shooting night (four points, 1-11 FG) with a superb defensive and rebounding effort. The 21-year-old ended Antetokounmpo’s outing by <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/1893124645156499576" rel="noopener">blocking his layup</a>, corralling the board, and drawing the superstar’s sixth and final foul.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">ACCESS DENIED 🔒 <a href="https://t.co/9K0yK7gfq6">pic.twitter.com/9K0yK7gfq6</a></p><p>— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/1893124645156499576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>George led the Wizards with nine rebounds and two blocks, while also tying for the team lead with five assists. He added a steal as well across 34 minutes.</p><p>Although the wins haven’t come yet, the fact that Washington’s rookies are impacting all phases of the game against playoff teams is an exciting development for the rebuilding franchise.</p><h2><b>Giannis Antetokounmpo compliments Wizards’ youngsters</b></h2><p>It’s not easy to contain Antetokounmpo, as the two-time MVP averages 31.5 points on 61 percent shooting with 12.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. Those numbers rank second, eighth, fifth, and 25th respectively, but the basketball titan was not the same player on Friday. It’s no surprise <a href="https://twitter.com/bijan_todd/status/1893143088089989177" rel="noopener">that he gushed over</a> Washington’s young core post-game, via Monumental Sports Network’s Bijan Todd.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I asked Giannis about Wizards rookies (again). His answer provided some amazing advice (again).</p><p>Says it’s tempting to want to “get yours” on a rebuilding team, but building good team-focused habits is key.</p><p>Says he’s excited to see what the “very talented” group can become. <a href="https://t.co/pQQOMdWQUH">pic.twitter.com/pQQOMdWQUH</a></p><p>— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) <a href="https://twitter.com/bijan_todd/status/1893143088089989177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“[They’re] great. [They] play hard. They’re trying to figure out their spots right now, but you can see that they’re very, very talented,” Antetokounmpo said. “They just gotta keep on learning how to play the game. Creating good habits, because sometimes when you’re not on a very good team, you can develop some bad habits, or you can think about how you can get yours.”</p><p>“But if you keep playing the right way and play winning basketball…you’re gonna develop a great talent,” he continued. “They’re young, though, they’re very young. They have bright futures…so I’m excited to see them in the future.”</p><p>There’s no better habit than focusing on defense, rebounding, and passing when shots aren’t falling. It’s a classic veteran move, and George is already learning how to do that at a high level despite having just one NCAA season and 48 NBA games under his belt. Imagine how far along the rookie will be by this time next season.</p><p>Ditto for Sarr, whose ability to balance rim protection with offense is promising, especially after shooting just 9-of-47 from the floor in Summer League. The No. 2 overall pick’s four threes on Friday tied Corey Kispert for the most on the team, and his last one shrunk the deficit to 100-96 with 2:39 left.</p><p>Next up is a road date with the Orlando Magic (28-30) on Sunday, who represent what the Wizards are trying to become. The team is led by 2024 All-Star Paolo Banchero, who it drafted No. 1 overall in 2022, as well as Franz Wagner (25.1 PPG) and Jalen Suggs (16.2 PPG). Orlando drafted Wagner No. 8 overall in ’21 and Suggs No. 5 the same year.</p><p>A good performance against the Magic by Washington’s youngsters would be a symbolic moment in the team’s rebuild. The Wizards are nowhere near where they want to be yet, but they’re getting a step closer with each quality outing.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Khris Middleton shows highs and lows in Wizards debut

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bucks-news-khris-middletons-heartfelt-goodbye-to-milwaukee-after-kyle-kuzma-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Khris Middleton’s heartfelt goodbye to Bucks after Kyle Kuzma trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Bucks-news-Khris-Middleton-s-heartfelt-goodbye-to-Milwaukee-after-Kyle-Kuzma-trade.jpg"></figure><h1>Khris Middleton’s heartfelt goodbye to Bucks after Kyle Kuzma trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-14T14:29:32-08:00">February 14th, 2:29pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-14T15:14:53-08:00">February 14th, 3:14pm</time><address><a>Randall Barnes</a>Randall Barnes is a Fall 2019 Graduate of Fort Valley State University, an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in Fort Valley, Georgia, where he majored in Media Studies. He is the Founder of HBCU Pulse, a multimedia outlet with the mission to tell the authentic stories of HBCU Life via traditional, digital and social media outlets to amplify our voice. He is also the host of HBCU Pulse Radio, which can be heard on SiriusXM Channel 142 HBCU Fridays at 5 p.m. EST and wherever you get your podcasts.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Following his <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-khris-middleton-ex-teammates-amusing-reaction-wizards-trade">trade to the Washington Wizards from the Milwaukee Bucks last week, Khris Middleton</a> penned a heartfelt goodbye to the Bucks fans. The former Bucks forward <a href="https://x.com/Khris22m/status/1890502315834020125" rel="noopener">posted the letter</a> on his social media accounts.</p><p>The letter reads:</p><p>“<i>Twelve years ago, I arrived in this city as a young player with big dreams. Today, I leave as an NBA champion, 3x All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist, and most importantly, someone who Milwaukee helped shape into the person and player I am today.</i></p><p><i>From the moment I stepped foot in this city, you embraced me. Together, we experienced the rebuilding years, the emergence of a championship contender, and ultimately, the unforgettable journey to the 2021 NBA Championship.</i></p><p><i>That magical run will stay with me forever – the late-game shots, the comeback victories, and most importantly, bringing the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to Milwaukee after 50 years.</i></p><p><i>To the incredible Bucks fans: Your passion and support through every up and down has been nothing short of amazing. From the early days at the Bradley Center, to the energy at Fiserv Forum and the packed Deer District during our championship run — the way this entire city rallies behind its team is something special that Ill always cherish.</i></p><p><i>To the Bucks organization: Thank you for believing in me, developing me, and giving me the opportunity to grow from a trade piece into an All-Star and champion.</i><br><i>To the Milwaukee community: This city has become my home.</i></p><p><i>The relationships built, the community initiatives we’ve worked on together, and the countless memories made both on and off the court will stay with me forever.</i></p><p><i>As I begin this new chapter, I’m excited for the opportunities ahead. But Milwaukee will always hold a special place in my heart.</i></p><p><i>This isn’t goodbye – it’s thank you.</i>”</p><p>Khris Middleton was a cornerstone of the Bucks, playing a crucial role in their 2021 championship run and their continued pursuit of titles. Over 735 games with the team, Middleton averaged 17.1 points per game and was known as the team’s closer before Damian Lillard’s arrival in the 2023-2024 season.</p><p>He often delivered clutch shots to secure victories for Milwaukee. However, persistent injuries began to take a toll, impacting his role on the team.</p><p>This season, Middleton is averaging just 12.6 points over 23 games—his lowest since his first season with the Bucks in 2013-14. During the offseason, he underwent arthroscopic surgeries on both ankles, further hindering his performance.</p><p>Still, Middleton was a fan favorite as well as being well-liked in the locker room. Following Middleton’s trade, Bucks star <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-powerful-2-word-khris-middleton-trade">Giannis Antetokounmpo took to his social media to show his love</a> for his former teammate, posting two pictures of Middleton with the words, “My GOAT.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Khris Middleton’s heartfelt goodbye to Bucks after Kyle Kuzma trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bucks-news-khris-middleton-ex-teammates-amusing-reaction-wizards-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bucks guard Khris Middleton’s ex-teammate’s amusing reaction to Wizards trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Bucks-news-Khris-Middletons-ex-teammates-amusing-reaction-to-Wizards-trade.jpg"></figure><h1>Bucks guard Khris Middleton’s ex-teammate’s amusing reaction to Wizards trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-14T12:33:15-08:00">February 14th, 12:33pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-14T12:33:15-08:00">February 14th, 12:33pm</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis didn’t hold back in his response to his former Khris Middleton’s trade to the Washington Wizards. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-khris-middleton-wizards-kyle-kuzma-trade">Bucks traded Middleton to the Wizards for Kyle Kuzma</a> before the NBA trade deadline. It’s a move Portis anticipated due to Khris’s unwillingness to accept a buyout for the final year of his three-year deal, worth $34 million.</p><p>Portis <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1bdjBW-TPY" rel="noopener">admitted</a> he would have done the same thing after revealing the day he found out Middleton was heading to the Wizards, per FanDuel TV’s Run it Back.</p><p>“I don’t see Khris in shoot around and I’m like damn where is Khris at? And they were like he’s getting traded,” Portis said. “[It’s] definitely one of those things where it’s like the business of basketball sucks and you have to move on and continue doing things, but I already knew they probably wasn’t going to buy him out. He has another year left on his deal. I can’t see him taking a buyout with another year left on his deal.</p><p>“Maybe if it was an expiring contract probably so but if I’m taking a buyout I’m not taking a buyout with 2 years left on my deal either. I’m keeping my bread for real. What am I taking a buyout for? For real like right now! I’m going to take the punches,” Bobby Portis concluded.</p><p>The Bucks acquired Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and second-round draft compensation for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, and a pick swap. Portis, who was also subject to trade rumors, will be entering the fourth year of his four-year, $48.5 million. His player option for 2025-26 is worth $13.4 million.</p><h2><b>Doc Rivers backs Kyle Kuzma’s high-octane energy for Bucks</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Bucks-forward-Kyle-Kuzma.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Rempel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Bucks head coach <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-doc-rivers-backs-kyle-kuzmas-high-octane-energy-without-giannis">Doc Rivers highlighted Kyle Kuzma’s athletic upside</a> after a 137-127 win against the 76ers on Sunday. While Kuzma’s three-point shooting is a constant threat for opposing teams, his athleticism is a dynamic that Rivers has added to his starting lineup that he didn’t get from Middleton.</p><p>After the win, Rivers encouraged Kuzma’s athleticism.</p><p>“We want him to stay being an athlete,” Rivers said.</p><p>For All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, Kuzma’s IQ also stands out in his new teammate.</p><p>“He just understands the game, you know,” Lillard said. “And he knows how to be effective and how to find his way.”</p><p>The Bucks followed their win against the 76ers with a 125-111 loss to the Warriors before beating the Timberwolves 103-101 on Wednesday. They enter the All-Star break 29-24, fifth place, in the Eastern Conference standings.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bucks guard Khris Middleton’s ex-teammate’s amusing reaction to Wizards trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bucks-news-gm-hardest-revelation-khris-middleton-kyle-kuzma-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bucks GM drops ‘hardest’ revelation on Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Bucks-news-GM-drops-hardest-revelation-on-Khris-Middleton-Kyle-Kuzma-trade.jpg"></figure><h1>Bucks GM drops ‘hardest’ revelation on Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-11T08:54:03-08:00">February 11th, 8:54am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-11T08:54:03-08:00">February 11th, 8:54am</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-khris-middleton-wizards-kyle-kuzma-trade">Kyle Kuzma and Khris Middleton were traded</a> for one another, Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst saw a different vision. Although some see the vision of Middleton’s age, that wasn’t what the general manager thought. It was quite the opposite. He explained to reporters via ESPN before Monday’s game about <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43788350/bucks-gm-jon-horst-calls-khris-middleton-trade-hardest-transaction-did-maximize-championship-window" rel="noopener">why the move took place</a>.</p><p>“Collectively, I think we’re deeper in the spots we needed to be deeper,” Horst said. “This gave us an opportunity to diversify a little bit, to kind of put money and talent and roster spots in other places where I thought we needed help.”</p><p>“This isn’t a Khris or a Kyle comparison, although that’s the easy thing to do,” Horst said. “It’s the team before the trade deadline and the team after the trade deadline, and to be determined with an open roster spot, that we felt like in totality we positioned ourselves to have a better run this year.</p><p>“That doesn’t do anything to diminish the three-time All-Star, Olympian, NBA champion, pillar in the community, everything that Khris Middleton was for this franchise for over a decade.”</p><p>One of the difficult parts of the NBA, or all of sports, is trading away a franchise player. Middleton helped the Bucks <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2025/02/05/best-of-khris-middleton-with-milwaukee-bucks-nba-trade-wizards/78255227007/" rel="noopener">win the 2021 NBA Finals</a>. He was the perfect wingman, next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. His two-way play established himself as an elite player. Middleton’s game isn’t the flashiest, but he was exceptionally skilled and a matchup nightmare.</p><h2><b>The Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma and Khris Middleton trade has more to it</b></h2><p>Again, the trade wasn’t fully about swapping players. It was also about financial matters. The Bucks were in the <a href="https://thescore.com/nba/news/2940429" rel="noopener">second tax apron</a>, meaning they couldn’t make a variety of moves. Their draft pick in seven years would be frozen, they couldn’t combine salaries in a trade, among other things.</p><p>The trade gave them some flexibility in that regard. After Kuzma has been on a struggling Washington team, he gets a fresh start. On the flip side, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-washington-immediate-khris-middleton-plans-after-kyle-kuzma-trade">Wizards plan to hold onto Middleton</a>. Either way, However, Horst still holds Kuzma in high regard.</p><p>“He’s up there with Giannis in terms of effectiveness and efficiency and frequency and transition. There’s a big gap between Giannis and the rest of our team and that statistic. … We’re at our best … playing fast. So another player that can get out and go with a ball. He still is a scorer, a shooter that I think has upside. At 29 years old, I think we strongly believe that he’s in his prime.</p><p>At the end of the day, Kuzma’s scoring will be a nice fit alongside the Bucks roster. Now, it’s a matter of how well he’ll gel with the two stars.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bucks GM drops ‘hardest’ revelation on Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/knicks-role-khris-middleton-kyle-kuzma-trade-title-push');   ga('set', 'title', 'How Knicks’ role in Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade impacts title push');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/How-Knicks-role-in-Khris-Middleton-Kyle-Kuzma-trade-impacts-title-push.jpg"></figure><h1>How Knicks’ role in Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade impacts title push</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-06T11:16:40-08:00">February 6th, 11:16am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-06T11:16:40-08:00">February 6th, 11:16am</time><address><a>Drew Maresca</a>Drew Maresca is a NY-area writer and researcher who has covered the NBA for more than 5 years. Prior to joining ClutchPoints to cover the New York Knicks, Drew wrote for Basketball News and Basketball Insiders. Drew has conducted interviews inside NBA locker rooms including Madison Square Garden, the Barclays Center, and the Kia Center, and he covered the 2019 NBA Draft in-person from Brooklyn.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New York Knicks <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-milwaukee-kyle-kuzma-trade-knicks-center">helped facilitate a deal that saw Kyle Kuzma land with the Eastern Conference rival</a> Milwaukee Bucks. The main part of the deal saw the Bucks send out Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma, which could very well backfire. The Knicks involvement came after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-lakers-clippers-trade-suitors-knicks-center-jericho-sims">rumors swirled for weeks regarding the availability of Jericho Sims</a>, New York finally shipped him to Milwaukee in exchange for Delon Wright, as part of the broader deal. In addition to Wright, the deal also saw the Knicks swap the draft rights of Mathias Lessort (Panathinaikos, EuroLeague) for Hugo Besson (Manisa Basket, Basketball Champions League).</p><h2><b>Jericho Sims is headed for Milwaukee</b></h2><p>Sims fell out of coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotation after a few mediocre performances earlier this season. He’s only played more than five minutes in three of the Knicks’ past 20 games. His lack of offensive polish and basketball IQ made it difficult to justify his place on the floor. But Sims’ size and athleticism will probably translate to a few more seasons in the NBA, at the very least.</p><p>From the Knicks’ perspective, the strong play of Precious Achiuwa since returning from injury cast Sims out of his role as a primary reserve. And Ariel Hukporti recently showed enough to justly him as at least as capable as Sims, leaving Sims as the odd man out.</p><h2><b>What will Delon Wright bring to the Knicks?</b></h2><p>Wright is an NBA journeyman who has proven himself to be an effective defender and playmaker. The Knicks will be his ninth team in 10 seasons. The 32-year-old guard is having a down year, averaging 2.5 points and 1.8 assists per game, but he’s still a valuable backcourt defender.  Coach Thibodeau will love his effort and defensive mindset. It’s unclear how Wright will factor into the team’s rotation, as they already have Miles McBride, Cam Payne, and Landry Shamet as backcourt reserves, but adding a strong veteran presence rarely hurts.</p><p>Perimeter defense is always a concern in the modern NBA. But Wright’s addition does not address the team’s biggest need, a backup big man. The Knicks will probably have to scour the buyout market to successfully add another big man. But even if they strike out there, there is still hope on the horizon.</p><h2><b>Knicks failed to address their primary need, but hope remains</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/The-New-York-Knicks-Jericho-Sims-blocks-a-shot-against-the-Philadelphia-76ers.jpg"><figcaption>Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/knicks-news-mitchell-robinson-next-step-injury-recovery">Mitchell Robinson was recently cleared for contact</a> in practice. Granted, he’s not fully cleared for five-on-five activities, but it represents a positive step in the right direction. And the fact that New York has won eight of their last 10 games—and experienced a good deal of success against playoff teams over that span—means they are playing with house money.</p><p>The Knicks can afford to take their time with Robinson. Getting him back before the playoffs stands to have the same impact as a major addition via trade. It means adding an elite, seven-foot defender and rebounder to a team that boasts the fifth-best record in the league, as well as the fifth-best net rating.</p><p>Ultimately, much of the Knicks’ postseason success is tied closely to how well Robinson returns. But there is some logic to adding (and keeping) Wright. There are certainly plenty of elite guards through whom the Knicks must get to reach their goal of an NBA championship. Wright’s presence means another capable defender to throw at guys like Donovan Mitchell, Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Trae Young, and Tyrese Haliburton. So, if Wright remains, he might play a fairly important role come the playoffs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

How Knicks’ role in Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade impacts title push

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-powerful-2-word-khris-middleton-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Giannis Antetokounmpo’s powerful 2-word Khris Middleton message after Bucks trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bucks-news-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-makes-astonishing-NBA-history-vs.-Nets.jpg"></figure><h1>Giannis Antetokounmpo’s powerful 2-word Khris Middleton message after Bucks trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-05T23:51:53-08:00">February 5th, 11:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-05T23:52:47-08:00">February 5th, 11:52pm</time><address><a>Rexwell Villas</a>Rexwell Villas is an experienced sports writer covering a variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football. He's a Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and he claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection. He has won a basketball, a baseball, and a football championship in fantasy all within a year.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Khris Middleton has played <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-trade-grade-khris-middleton-kyle-kuzma-wizards-deal">nearly his entire NBA career thus far with the Milwaukee Bucks</a>. On Wednesday, his stint with the team he played for 11-plus seasons came to an end after Milwaukee decided to send him to the Washington Wizards before the 2025 NBA trade deadline.</p><p>Along with AJ Johnson and a pick-swap, the Bucks traded Middleton to the Wizards in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and a second-round NBA draft compensation. The New York Knicks, who were also part of this three-team deal, sent Jericho Sims to Milwaukee and got Delon Wright and cash in return.</p><p>Middleton’s trade to the Wizards marked the end of an era for the Bucks, who acquired the former Texas A&amp;M Aggies star via a 2013 trade with the Detroit Pistons. In other words, Antetokounmpo doesn’t know what it’s like to play in the NBA without Middleton as his teammate.</p><p>Antetokounmpo, who earlier sent out a post on X as an apparent reaction to the Middleton trade <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-giannis-tweets-deletes-cryptic-post-khris-middleton-kyle-kuzma-trade">before deleting it</a>, entered the NBA in 2013 when he was <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2013.html" rel="noopener">taken in the first round</a> as that year’s 15th overall pick. Since then, he won two Most Valuable Player awards and won a league title — achievements Middleton had his fingerprints on.</p><h2><b>Giannis Antetokoumpo declares Khris Middleton his “GOAT”</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Khris-Middleton-22-and-forward-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-34-celebrate.jpg"><figcaption>© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>In the aftermath of Middleton’s departure from Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo sent out a short but powerful message about his now-former teammate.</p><p>“My GOAT 🐐💯” Antetokounmpo shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter) as a caption for two images of Middleton during the Bucks’ NBA championship win in 2021.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">My GOAT 🐐💯 <a href="https://t.co/Sqx1yOVcUw">pic.twitter.com/Sqx1yOVcUw</a></p><p>— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) <a href="https://twitter.com/Giannis_An34/status/1887350466339610796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>During his over-a-decade tenure in Bucks uniform, Middleton averaged 17.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 46.1 percent from the field across a total of 735 games, including 657 starts. A three-time All-Star, Middleton is going to be missed by Antetokounmpo and the Bucks locker room. Injuries have slowed him down in the 2024-25 NBA season, but even then, he still brought plenty of value to the Bucks, including the intangibles.</p><p>The jury is still out on whether Kuzma will be the type of udrapgrade the Bucks thought he would be when they pulled the trigger on the trade. As for Middleton, he goes from an NBA title contender to the worst team in the league, at least from a records standpoint. Middleton joins a Wizards squad with still only nine wins deep into the first week of February.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s powerful 2-word Khris Middleton message after Bucks trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/bucks-news-giannis-tweets-deletes-cryptic-post-khris-middleton-kyle-kuzma-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bucks’ Giannis tweets, deletes cryptic post after Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Giannis-tweets-deletes-cryptic-post-after-Khris-Middleton-Kyle-Kuzma-trade.jpg"></figure><h1>Bucks’ Giannis tweets, deletes cryptic post after Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-05T12:11:51-08:00">February 5th, 12:11pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-05T12:11:51-08:00">February 5th, 12:11pm</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After the Milwaukee <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-khris-middleton-wizards-kyle-kuzma-trade" rel="noopener">Bucks traded Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma</a> from the Washington Wizards, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a cryptic message on social media.</p><p>Antetokounmpo tweeted out what one social media account is accusing the Bucks superstar of posting the colors of the Houston Rockets. The Greek Freak <a href="https://twitter.com/BucksLead/status/1887199292802109441" rel="noopener">posted</a> the red and white colors next to a thinking emoji after the Middleton trade was announced on his X, formerly Twitter page.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Giannis envisioning his future with the Rockets in this deleted tweet <a href="https://t.co/x2MpSvVKvk">pic.twitter.com/x2MpSvVKvk</a></p><p>— Bucks Lead (@BucksLead) <a href="https://twitter.com/BucksLead/status/1887199292802109441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Middleton is averaging 12.6 points on a career-best 51.2% shooting, 4.4 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.7 steals in 23 games this season. It’s a far cry from the kind of All-Star production Middleton used to provide during his prime years, as the 33-year-old forward, plagued with injuries and setbacks, enters the twilight years of his NBA career.</p><h2><b>Kyle Kuzma makes a sacrifice to help Bucks at the trade deadline</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Bucks-superstar-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-and-Khris-Middleton.jpg"><figcaption>Michael McLoone-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Milwaukee <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-kyle-kuzma-makes-sacrifice-play-help-bucks-trade-deadline">Bucks dealt Khris Middleton to the Wizards</a>, ending his 11-year run with the Bucks, where he’s played all but one season of his NBA career. Middleton and Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo guided the Bucks to a championship in 2021. However, by trading for former Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee will look to build its roster around Antetokounmpo, Kuzma, and veteran center Brook Lopez.</p><p>Landing Kuzma, 29, is a move predicated on building the Bucks’ core to compete now and in the future as Kuzma <a href="https://x.com/BobbyMarks42/status/1887162384944623734" rel="noopener">reduced</a> his trade bonus to help his new team grow, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks’ X formerly Twitter.</p><p>“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,” Marks said. “The reduced trade bonus allows Milwaukee to remain below the second apron.”</p><p>Kuzma won his first and only NBA title alongside superstars LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers in 2020. This season, he averaged 15.2 points on a career-low 42% shooting, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.6 steals in 32 games for the Wizards.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bucks’ Giannis tweets, deletes cryptic post after Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/wizards-news-washington-immediate-khris-middleton-plans-after-kyle-kuzma-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wizards’ immediate Khris Middleton plans after Kyle Kuzma trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Wizards-news-Washingtons-immediate-Khris-Middleton-plans-after-Kyle-Kuzma-trade.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Wizards’ immediate Khris Middleton plans after Kyle Kuzma trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-05T11:34:52-08:00">February 5th, 11:34am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-05T11:34:52-08:00">February 5th, 11:34am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Washington Wizards (8-41) <a href="https://x.com/SIChrisMannix/status/1887199925307367798" rel="noopener">plan to hold onto</a> Khris Middleton following their trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix. The deal, which sent Kyle Kuzma to Milwaukee, provides Washington with financial flexibility and opens up additional playing time for its young wing players, including AJ Johnson, who was also acquired in the trade.</p><p>On Wednesday morning, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-khris-middleton-wizards-kyle-kuzma-trade">Wizards agreed to send Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and second-round draft compensation to the Bucks in exchange for Middleton</a>, Johnson, and a pick swap. The move marks a significant roster shift for Washington as it looks to build for the future while incorporating veteran leadership.</p><h2><b>Khris Middleton’s reunion with Malcom Brogdon and Wizards’ youth movement</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Khris-Middleton-22-puts-up-a-shot-against-Memphis-Grizzlies-forward-Santi-Aldama-7.jpg"><figcaption>© Michael McLoone-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Middleton, a three-time All-Star and NBA champion, reunites with former Bucks teammate Malcolm Brogdon in Washington. The two played together for three seasons in Milwaukee, including the 2018-19 campaign when the Bucks won 60 games before falling to the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals.</p><p>Middleton is currently making $31.6 million this season and holds a $34 million player option for next year. His production has declined following offseason procedures on both ankles, averaging 12.6 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 51.2% from the field and 40.7% from three across 23 appearances. Head coach Doc Rivers moved Middleton to the bench in early January as part of a lineup adjustment.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-2024-nba-draft-grades-for-every-pick">Johnson, the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft</a>, has seen limited action in his rookie season, appearing in just seven games for the Bucks. He has averaged 2.9 points, one rebound, and one assist in 6.3 minutes per contest while shooting 60% from the field. With the Wizards embracing a youth movement, Johnson could have an opportunity to carve out a larger role in Washington’s rotation.</p><h2><b>Washington’s outlook moving forward</b></h2><p>At 8-41, the Wizards remain at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, making this trade a step in their long-term rebuilding process. By acquiring Middleton, they gain a veteran presence while also maintaining roster flexibility. The organization’s decision to hold onto him for now suggests they may evaluate his fit before making any further roster moves.</p><p>Meanwhile, the departure of Kuzma, who had been a key contributor, signals Washington’s continued focus on player development and long-term roster construction. As the season progresses, Middleton’s role will be closely monitored, especially with his player option looming. The Wizards now turn their attention to integrating their new acquisitions and assessing their future direction.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wizards’ immediate Khris Middleton plans after Kyle Kuzma trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/wizards-trade-grade-kyle-kuzma-khris-middleton-bucks-deal');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wizards trade grade for Kyle Kuzma-Khris Middleton Bucks deal');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Wizards-trade-grade-for-Kyle-Kuzma-Khris-Middleton-Bucks-deal.jpg"></figure><h1>Wizards trade grade for Kyle Kuzma-Khris Middleton Bucks deal</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-05T10:38:06-08:00">February 5th, 10:38am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-05T12:09:34-08:00">February 5th, 12:09pm</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Milwaukee Bucks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After months of rumors and speculation, the Washington <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-khris-middleton-wizards-kyle-kuzma-trade">Wizards finally dealt Kyle Kuzma</a> on Wednesday. The <a href="https://x.com/BrettSiegelNBA/status/1887172005411045714" rel="noopener">full details are</a> now out, via ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.</p><p>“[Milwaukee] Bucks get: F Kyle Kuzma, F Patrick Baldwin Jr., 2025 second-round pick (second-most favorable of WAS’ collection)</p><p>Wizards get: F Khris Middleton, G AJ Johnson, MIL 2028 1st swap (POR gets most favorable, WAS gets second-most favorable, MIL gets third-most favorable),” Siegel reported.</p><p>How <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-dream-scenario-2025-nba-trade-deadline">did the Wizards do</a>?</p><h2><b>Wizards trade grade: B</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Khris-Middleton-shrugging.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-bucks-wizards-khris-middleton-kyle-kuzma-trade">Kuzma-Middleton swap</a> isn’t surprising, as that was rumored over the previous couple of days. Absorbing Middleton’s $31.6 million salary this season and $34 million salary when he likely opts in next year was a good way to offload Kuzma and get future assets. However, landing Johnson is an unexpected and exciting development for the rebuilding franchise.</p><p>The 2024 No. 23 overall pick is a raw, <a href="https://www.nba.com/draft/2024/prospects/aj-johnson" rel="noopener">but promising talent</a> on both ends of the floor, via Rotowire’s pre-draft scouting report.</p><p>“At 6-foot-5, Johnson has the ideal size and athleticism for a guard at the next level,” the profile said. “He flashed the ability to create his shot and has the vision to find open teammates. Defensively, Johnson’s length gives him the tools to bother opponents on the perimeter.”</p><p>Johnson was one of the best combo guards in the 2023 recruiting class, sporting a five-star rating for Rivals <a href="https://247sports.com/player/aj-johnson-46114381/" rel="noopener">and a four-star</a> for 247Sports and ESPN. The California native signed with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League (Australia) that year as a <a href="https://www.nextstars.com.au/about-us" rel="noopener">part of its</a> Next Stars program, which helps players prepare for the NBA.</p><p>Johnson didn’t play much for the Hawks, registering just 2.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game across 26 contests. The youngster’s physical attributes are what elevated his stock as a G League developmental type.</p><p>Speaking of the G League, Johnson averaged 13.4 points on 43.3% shooting (36.8% 3Pt) with four assists, 3.8 rebounds, and one steal across 26.8 minutes per game in 25 appearances for the Wisconsin Herd (Bucks’ affiliate) this season. The 20-year-old has also scored 20 points on 8-of-19 shooting (3-of-5 3Pt) with seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal in 44 minutes of NBA action.</p><p>Johnson is now Washington’s fourth rookie, adding to its stable of young players to build for the future with. Alex Sarr (No. 2 overall pick), Bub Carrington (No. 14) and Kyshawn George (No. 24) have all gotten extensive playing time this season, so don’t be surprised if the 160-pounder’s minutes skyrocket as well.</p><p>Shipping out Baldwin Jr.’s expiring contract also frees up a two-way spot that Washington could use for Johnson. If not, it could give it to Jaylen Nowell, who scored 43 points (13-of-20 FG, 8-of-11 3Pt) with five assists and three rebounds in the Capital City Go-Go’s (Wizards affiliate) 139-136 win over the Salt Lake City Stars (Utah Jazz affiliate) on Tuesday.</p><p>Finally, the 2028 first-round pick swap could give Washington a higher selection depending on its 2027-28 record. The club may also flip Middleton for more assets in the offseason or next year’s trade deadline after he opts in.</p><p>Giving up their 2025 second-rounder isn’t ideal, but that’s the price they pay for not <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-kyle-kuzma-reveals-the-truth-about-mavericks-trade-interest">capitalizng on Kuzma’s peak value</a> last season. The Dallas Mavericks sent an offer near the deadline, but Wizards team president Michael Winger allowed the former NBA champion to decide his fate. He asked to stay, and Winger honored that request.</p><p>However, the executive’s kind move later backfired, as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-kyle-kuzma-doesnt-want-washington-plan">Kuzma recently admitted</a> he no longer wanted to “fit in” with Washington’s rebuild amid his down year statistically. Regardless, the situation was a teaching moment for the Wizards’ new regime, and they were still able to get valuable assets in return. They also still have two second-round picks in the upcoming draft.</p><p>Overall, this is a good return for Kuzma, who’s averaging 15.2 points on 42% shooting after averaging a career-high 22.2 points on a 46.3% clip last season. Winger and company likely could’ve gotten more last year, but they rebounded well after their misstep.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
12.4	3.7	4.4	0.2	0.8

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
12.4	3.7	4.4	0.2	0.8

Khris Middleton news

Khris
Middleton news