There are notions that the Milwaukee Bucks got rid of Khris Middleton only because of his salary. Jon Horst insists that’s not the goal.
Jan 24, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst address the media after head coach Adrian Griffin (not pictured) was dismissed at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 14, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) is mobbed by teammates after making a shot during the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns during game four of the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Some fans are not happy with the latest movement by the Bucks thinking they did not get better.
The team acquired Kyle Kuzma in exchange for Middleton. They also now have Kevin Porter Jr. and big man Jericho Sims via different trade deals.
Horst said the goal is to build a team that can win now and if they did get to dump salary and go under the second apron, that was just secondary.
Jun 19, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks new general manager Jon Horst smiles as he answers questions during a news conference at the Milwaukee Bucks business operations office. Mandatory Credit: Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports
The goal and the intent from Jimmy (Haslam), Dee (Haslam), Wes (Edens), Jamie (Dinan), they’ve done nothing but resource this team and want to win,” Horst said in an interview with The Athletic.
Hawks @ Magic – NBA Game Preview for February 10, 2025 07:00 PM EST
“Their only mandate is, ‘We want to win this year. What do we do to try to win this year?’ And we believe that this gives us a better chance to win this year.
“It happens to also put us under the second apron, which gives us some benefits going forward. There’s no question. And we’ll hopefully maximize those benefits. But that wasn’t the intent.”
How are the Milwaukee Bucks after Khris Middleton trade?
It is small small sample size but the new recruits are hardly making an impact. It is because they are yet to gain meaningful minutes except for Kyle Kuzma.
Kuzma is fitting in just well for the Bucks although he is so far 1-2 as a Buck. He made his debut against the Atlanta Hawks wherein the team squandered an 18-point lead.
They won against the Philadelphia 76ers at home and then lost to the visiting Golden State Warriors on the second night of a back-to-back.
Feb 7, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) boxes out Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) in the third quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Kuzma is currently averaging 15.3 points per game, three points better than Middleton.
KPJ made his debut against the Warriors although his minutes were limited while Sims is yet to see action.
The struggle cannot be attributed to them, however, as the team still deal with injuries, the most prominent was on Giannis Antetokounmpo who will not play a game until after the All-Star break.
For more great Wisconsin sports content
Follow us @WiSportsHeroics for the latest and trending news about Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Marquette, and the rest of Wisconsin Sports. Stay updated by reading more of our Wisconsin Sports articles by clicking here and college basketball by clicking here!
