MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks traded forward Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards, the team confirmed on Thursday night.

In the trade, the Bucks acquired 29-year-old forward Kyle Kuzma. The team also traded AJ Johnson and a pick swap for Wizards’ Patrick Baldwin Jr. and second-round draft compensation.

"Khris is one of the greatest players in Bucks history, and on behalf of our ownership group and organization, we will always be grateful for his 12-year dedication to the team and the Milwaukee community,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst in a release. “We thank Khris for the player, leader and person he is. He and his wife Sam have positively impacted the lives of so many people, especially children, and we wish them well.”

Before the trade deadline on Thursday, the Bucks also acquired center Jericho Sims from the New York Knicks in exchange for guard Delon Wright. That deal also included draft rights to Hugo Besson and cash considerations.

33-year-old Middleton has been with the Bucks since 2013 and helped lead the team to their first NBA championship since 1971 in the 2020-21 season. He also helped the United States win gold at the Tokyo Games later that year 

In the last few years, Middleton was in and out of playing with various injuries. He missed the first 20 games of the 2022-23 season after a wrist surgery and last year, he was out for the season opener after having ankle surgery. He had returned to play on Dec. 6, 2024.

The three-time All-Star has been limited to 23 games this season, 16 of those coming off the bench, but was shooting a career-best 51% in those appearances.

“It’s definitely a plus having Khris back,” Antetokounmpo said earlier this season when Middleton was available again following ankle issues. “Man, he takes us to the next level with his IQ, decision-making, shot ability, defense.”

Milwaukee will become Kuzma's third team. He's been with the Wizards since Aug. 6, 2021. Before that, he had a stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he was part of the championship win in 2020. The 29-year-old has averaged 17.2 points per game for his career, 15.2 points per game this season.

“Kyle is a proven player who brings versatility on both sides of the ball and adds to our size and athleticism,” Horst said. “His championship-level experience and desire to compete impressed us. We’re excited to welcome Kyle to Milwaukee and our great community.”

The Bucks (26-22) are stuck in fifth place in the Eastern Conference after exiting in the first round of the playoffs each of the last two seasons.

They ended up trading a player whose No. 22 jersey could hang from the Fiserv Forum rafters at some point.

Middleton had 24 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game during the 2021 NBA Finals as the Bucks beat Phoenix in six games. He averaged 20.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 80 career playoff games with Milwaukee. He earned All-Star Game selections in 2019, 2020 and 2022.

But injuries limited him over the last few seasons.

Kuzma has dealt with his own issues this season. He is shooting 42% from the floor, 28.1% on 3-point attempts and 60.2% on free throws — all career lows. He scored 31 points and 22 points in his last two games.

The Bucks selected Johnson with the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 draft. The 20-year-old guard averaged 2.9 points in seven games with Milwaukee.

Baldwin, who went to high school in the Milwaukee area and played his lone college season at Milwaukee, was the 28th overall pick in the 2022 draft. The 22-year-old forward averaged 2.1 points and 4.6 minutes in 22 games this season.

The Bucks announced the trade for Sims late Thursday night as they also made official the deal sending Middleton to the Wizards.

Sims, 26, averaged 1.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 10.8 minutes in 39 games this season for the Knicks. Wright, 32, averaged 2.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 15.6 minutes in 26 games for Milwaukee.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to add Jericho, who will provide depth and versatility to our frontcourt,” Horst said. “He’s a player who we’ve paid close attention to and are excited to bring to the Bucks.”