Four-team trade sends Khris Middleton to Wizards, Kyle Kuzma to Bucks

The Washington Wizards yesterday acquired forward Khris Middleton, guard Akeem Jamaal (AJ) Johnson, the right to swap a 2028 first-round pick, and cash considerations from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for forward Kyle Kuzma and a 2025 second-round pick. As part of a four-team trade, the Wizards also acquired the draft rights to Mathias Lessort from the New York Knicks and dealt Patrick Baldwin Jr. to San Antonio.

“We look forward to welcoming Khris and AJ to Washington” stated General Manager Will Dawkins. “Khris is a championship-caliber player whose professionalism will help our organization in multiple ways. AJ’s addition to our roster provides us another young, athletic, and versatile guard.”

Middleton (6-7, 222) was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2012 NBA Draft (39th overall) before being traded to Milwaukee in 2013. A three-time All-Star (2019, 2020, 2022), he was also a member of Team USA that captured gold during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In 762 career games (657 starts) across 13 seasons with Detroit and Milwaukee, Middleton holds career averages of 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. He has made nine playoff appearances (80 games) and started every game during Milwaukee’s playoff run to the 2021 NBA Championship. In the postseason, Middleton has averaged 20.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.

Johnson (6-5, 170) was selected by the Bucks in the 2024 NBA Draft (23rd overall). He is currently averaging 2.9 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in seven games with Milwaukee this season. Johnson has also appeared in 25 games (Tip-Off Tournament + Regular Season) for the Bucks’ G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, averaging 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 28.6 minutes per game. He joins Alex Sarr (second), Bub Carrington (14th), and Kyshawn George (24th) as the fourth player from the 2024 NBA Draft to be added to Washington’s roster.

In three-and-a-half seasons with Washington, Kuzma appeared in 232 games (230 starts) averaging 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. In 32 appearances for the Wizards this season, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Kuzma was originally acquired by Washington in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers prior to the 2021-2022 season.

“We want to thank Kyle for his contributions during his time with our team,” said Dawkins. “His impact on and off the court was felt by teammates, coaches, and fans alike. His dedication to giving back to the DMV community will leave a lasting impact. We wish him and Patrick success in the next chapter of their careers.”

Baldwin Jr. was traded to Washington prior to the start of the 2023-24 season and appeared in 60 games, averaging 3.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game.

Delon Wright traded to Knicks

The New York Knicks announced yesterday that the team has acquired Delon Wright, the draft rights to Hugo Besson and cash considerations from the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a multi-team trade.

In exchange, the team has traded Jericho Sims to the Milwaukee Bucks and the draft rights to Mathias Lessort to the Washington Wizards.

Wright, 32-years old (6-5, 185-pounds), has appeared in 26 games with the Milwaukee Bucks this season, recording 2.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists over 15.6 minutes. He recorded a season-high nine points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals vs. Chicago (Dec 23, 2024). Wright is one of 14 players in the NBA to record five steals off the bench this season. He holds career averages of 6.7 points on 44.6-percent shooting, 3.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals over 20.5 minutes in 534 games (87 starts) over 10 seasons with the Raptors, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Pistons, Kings, Hawks, Wizards, Heat and Bucks.

Pelicans trade Brandon Ingram to Raptors

The Toronto Raptors announced yesterday they have acquired forward Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for guard-forward Bruce Brown, centre Kelly Olynyk, a 2026 first-round draft pick (via Indiana) and a 2031 second-round draft pick.

“We see Brandon as an integral part of this team’s future – he’s an elite scorer, he has a really diverse offensive skillset, and adding him to the young core we have is huge as we continue our quest to win in Toronto,” Raptors Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri said. “At the same time we welcome Brandon, we need to really thank Bruce and Kelly. They have been professionals and leaders and they’ve been great teammates and examples for all of us. We wish them all the best moving forward.”

Ingram, 6-foot-8, 212 pounds, joins the Raptors following six seasons in New Orleans where he averaged 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and shot .472 (2532-5365) from the field, including .372 (560-1506) from three-point range. He averaged more than 20.0 points in all six seasons and was named an NBA All-Star in 2020. Ingram also captured the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award that same season.

A native on Kinston, North Carolina, Ingram owns career averages of 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 495 games with the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans. He was picked second overall by the Lakers in the 2016 NBA Draft following one season at Duke where he was the ACC Freshman of the Year.

Brown was acquired from Indiana in January 2024 and averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 23.8 minutes in 52 games with Toronto.

Olynyk averaged 10.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 21.6 minutes in 52 contests with the Raptors after being acquired from Utah in February 2024.

Three-team trade sends Marcus Smart to Wizards

The Washington Wizards yesterday acquired guard Marcus Smart and a 2025 protected first-round pick from the Memphis Grizzlies, and guard Colby Jones and center Alex Len from the Sacramento Kings as part of a three-team trade. In return, Washington dealt guard Johnny Davis, forward Marvin Bagley III, and a 2025 second-round pick to Memphis.

A former Defensive Player of the Year (2021-22) and three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection, Smart (6-3, 220), was selected by the Boston Celtics in the 2014 NBA Draft (6th overall). The 11-year pro has appeared in 620 career games (386 starts), averaging 10.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game with the Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies. Smart has played in 108 career playoff games (73 starts) across 21 playoff series, including a trip to the NBA Finals with the Celtics in 2021-22. He appeared in 19 games this season with Memphis, averaging 8.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

Len (7-0, 250) was selected by the Phoenix Suns (5th overall) in the 2013 NBA Draft. He spent five seasons with the Suns and has had stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, and one season in Washington (2020-21). Len holds career averages of 6.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 680 career games across 12 seasons. He appeared in 36 games for Sacramento this season, averaging 1.4 points per game.

Jones (6-6, 207) was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2023 NBA Draft (34th overall) before eventually being traded to Sacramento prior to the start of the 2023-24 campaign. In two seasons with the Kings, he has averaged 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds per game in 54 appearances.

Johnny Davis played in 112 games (11 starts) over two-and-a-half seasons in Washington, averaging 3.5 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.

Marvin Bagley III was acquired by Washington from Detroit via trade in January 2024. In 43 games with Washington, he averaged 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Heat trade P.J. Tucker to Raptors

The Toronto Raptors announced yesterday they have acquired a 2026 second-round draft pick (via LA Lakers), cash considerations and P.J. Tucker in a trade the Miami Heat for guard Davion Mitchell.

Mitchell was acquired from Sacramento in June 2024 along with forward Sasha Vezenkov, the draft rights to Jamal Shead and a 2025 second round pick (via Portland) in exchange for forward Jalen McDaniels. Mitchell averaged 6.3 points, 4.6 assists, 1.9 rebounds and 24.5 minutes in 44 games (22 starts) with Toronto.

Five-team trade sends Andrew Wiggins to Heat, Jimmy Butler to Warriors

The Miami HEAT announced yesterday that they have acquired Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a 2025 protected first round draft pick from Golden State and Davion Mitchell from Toronto in exchange for Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson, two second round draft picks and cash considerations in a five-team deal that sends Butler to Golden State, Richardson, a 2031 second round draft pick and cash considerations from Miami to Utah along with Kenyon Martin Jr. and a 2028 second round draft pick from Detroit to Utah, Dennis Schröder, Lindy Waters III and a 2031 second round draft pick from Golden State to Detroit and P.J. Tucker from Utah to Toronto along with a 2026 second round draft pick and cash considerations from Miami.

Five-team trade sends Dennis Schroder to Pistons

The Detroit Pistons announced yesterday that the team has acquired guard Dennis Schröder, wing Lindy Waters III and a future second round pick from the Golden State Warriors as part of a five-team trade in which the team also sent out a future second round pick and KJ Martin, who was first acquired along with two second round picks from the Philadelphia 76ers, to the Utah Jazz.

In a related move, the team has waived wing Wendell Moore Jr.

Schröder (6-1, 175) is a 12-year NBA veteran who has appeared in 814 career games with career averages of 14.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists on 43.3% shooting in 27.4 minutes per game. Schröder began the 2024-25 season with the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 18.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists across 23 games while shooting 45.2% from the field and 38.7% from 3-point range in 33.6 minutes per game. On Dec. 15, 2024, Schröder was traded from the Nets to the Golden State Warriors where he made 24 appearances and averaged 10.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 26.2 minutes per game. The 31-year-old guard has appeared in 68 career playoff games, averaging 11.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 24.9 minutes per game. A native of Braunschweig, Germany, Schröder won a gold medal with Germany in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and was named MVP of the tournament.

Thunder sign Branden Carlson to Two-Way Contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed center Branden Carlson to a Two-Way Contract, it was announced yesterday by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Carlson (7-0, 220) has appeared in 15 games for the Thunder this season after originally being signed on November 16, 2024. The Utah native scored a career-high 11 points and grabbed four rebounds in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 16 and he is averaging 3.1 points and 1.7 rebounds in 6.3 minutes per game this season with the Thunder.

In five games (all starts) for the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA’s G League this season, Carlson is averaging 15.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.20 blocks in 25.6 minutes per contest.

Thunder sign Ajay Mitchell to multi-year contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed guard Ajay Mitchell to a multi-year contract, it was announced yesterday by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

In 34 games (one start) this season, Mitchell is averaging 6.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 16.5 minutes. He is one of two rookies this season shooting at least 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range.

Oklahoma City originally acquired the 2024 draft rights to guard Ajay Mitchell (selected 38th overall) on draft night from the New York Knicks.