Bucks GM: Khris Middleton Trade Was Hardest Transaction Ever

Khris Middleton’s 12-year run with the Milwaukee Bucks came to an end last week in what the team’s top executive called his toughest decision ever.

“It’s the hardest transaction I’ve had to make,” Bucks GM Jon Horst admitted, speaking about trading the franchise’s all-time three-point leader to Washington.

The move wasn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet. Middleton had become part of Milwaukee’s DNA, helping lead the team to their first NBA title in 50 years back in 2021.

But professional sports can be brutal that way.

“We have to maximize our championship window right now,” Horst explained before watching his reshuffled team fall 125-111 to the Warriors on Monday night. “There’s only a narrow set of opportunities to do that, and this was one of them.”

The deal sent Middleton and rookie AJ Johnson to Washington, bringing back Kyle Kuzma and a second-round pick. Milwaukee also picked up center Jericho Sims from the Knicks in a separate move.

It’s been a tough season for Middleton, who missed the first 21 games recovering from surgery. But he was starting to look like his old self lately.

Horst didn’t point to health concerns as the reason for the trade. Instead, he focused on the team’s needs.

“We’re deeper now in spots where we needed depth,” he said. “This gave us a chance to spread our resources around and fill some gaps.”

The Bucks aren’t done dealing yet. They’ve still got an open roster spot and plan to be active in the buyout market as they gear up for another title run.

For Middleton, it’s a new chapter after 12 seasons making memories in Milwaukee. For the Bucks, it’s a calculated gamble to maximize their chances while Giannis Antetokounmpo is in his prime.

Sometimes the toughest decisions are the ones teams feel they have to make.