UPDATE: Follow Thursday’s trade deadline happenings in today’s new live coverage story
The Milwaukee Bucks have already made a splash before NBA trade deadline; are more moves in the offing before the 2 p.m. deadline Thursday, Feb. 6?
Milwaukee general manager Jon Horst hasn’t been afraid to make some tweaks in season, and that continued Wednesday with a deal that sent Khris Middleton and AJ Johnson to the Washington Wizards in an exchange that brought back Kyle Kuzma and Patrick Baldwin Jr.
Late Wednesday, a new wrinkle was added: The Bucks acquired New York Knicks big man Jericho Sims as part of the earlier deal for backup guard Delon Wright and cash considerations.
The Bucks are a team that will always be linked to certain players (i.e. veterans seeking a title), but we’ll keep an eye on all the burning trade embers here as they flicker. Here’s more on why the Bucks traded Middleton, including the relaxation of constraints in the trade market now that the Bucks are no longer a “second apron” team according to the league’s salary cap.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Jericho Sims revealed as additional part of earlier Bucks trade
Sims, 26, stands 6-10 and has averaged 2.4 points per game over his four year career in the NBA, all with the Knicks. He’ll figure into the defensive picture, though, as a rim protector.
The Bucks will be surrendering guard Delon Wright and cash considerations to complete the swap.
Wright, who turns 33 in April and signed before the season, hasn’t been able to crack the regular rotation for the Bucks. In 26 games, he’s provided 2.5 points and 1.8 assists per contest.
Marquette University alumnus Jimmy Butler reportedly heading to Golden State
If you were hoping for a Milwaukee reunion for former Marquette University standout Jimmy Butler, it appears you’re out of luck … although the Golden State Warriors do play at Fiserv Forum on Feb. 10.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Miami Heat are finalizing a deal to send the discontented Butler to the Warriors for Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson and a protected first-round pick.
Charania indicated Schroder is headed to Utah and Anderson to Toronto as part of a multi-team trade, then reported that the Toronto part of the deal fell through, meaning Anderson remains in limbo.
Golden State’s Lindy Waters III and Miami’s Josh Richardson will wind up with the Pistons. Former Bucks player P.J. Tucker will move from the Jazz to the Heat.
Butler, meanwhile, will reportedly sign a two-year, $121 million extension with Golden State.
According to Zach Lowe, the Heat are receiving Golden State’s 2025 first-round pick, protected for selections 1-10 as part of the Butler trade. If the pick does not convey this year, it’ll have the same protections in 2026.
Khris Middleton trade creates opportunities under ‘second apron’
The Middleton trade brought the Bucks’ payroll down below the second tax apron in the NBA salary cap, relaxing one key constraint that was previously in play: Milwaukee can now aggregate salaries in future trades.
That means, perhaps using some combination of Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton and MarJon Beauchamp, Milwaukee now has the flexibility to use multiple players in a deal for a single player. Previously, exchanges had to be one-for-one.
Let us know:What do you think about the Bucks trading Khris Middleton and getting Kyle Kuzma?
Bucks looking to trade Pat Connaughton
According to HoopsHype, the Bucks have actively engaged in discussions to trade wing Pat Connaughton. The 32-year-old has fallen out of head coach Doc Rivers’ rotation, and makes not just $9.4 million this year but will most likely pick up his $9.4 million player option for next year. Should they be able to move Connaughton, the Bucks can slide under the second apron and open up more flexibility before the deadline to trade multiple players for a single player.
Bucks have interest in Jericho Sims
The Journal Sentinel confirmed the Bucks have interest in New York Knicks big man Jericho Sims, who is under contract for $2 million for only this season. The 6-foot, 10-inch 26-year-old averages about 11 minutes off the bench for New York. He does not shoot three-pointers, but is an explosive athlete — he had a 44.5-inch vertical jump at the 2021 NBA combine. At the time it was the third-highest leap in combine history.
Bucks interested in Cody Martin
HoopsHype reported the Bucks have expressed interest in 29-year-old forward Cody Martin of the Charlotte Hornets. Martin is 6 feet, 5 inches and is in his sixth season in Charlotte. A career 31% three-point shooter, Martin would inject a little bit of youth and wing defense into the Bucks. His $8.6 million contact for next season is not guaranteed until June 30.
Bucks engaged with Bulls on Zach LaVine trade
Milwaukee did have conversations with Chicago about a deal that would have brought Zach LaVine to Milwaukee. The Journal Sentinel confirmed the Chicago Sports Network’s report. Other players would have been involved, too, in some fashion, to make the money work considering the Bucks’ apron restrictions.
LaVine landed in Sacramento as part of a three-team deal.
What trades have happened in the NBA?
Here’s a rundown of the latest in-season trades in the NBA:
Kings trade for Jonas Valanciunas in deal with Wizards
The Washington Wizards weren’t done after acquiring Khris Middleton; they traded Jonas Valanciunas to the Sacramento Kings for Sidy Cissoko and two second-round picks (2028, 2029).
Thunder acquire Daniel Theis from Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans traded Daniel Theis and a 2031 second-round draft pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for cash considerations.
Pistons acquire KJ Martin from 76ers along with two second-round picks
The second-round picks the Sixers are sending are from the Milwaukee Bucks in 2027 and Dallas Mavericks in 2031, according to the Detroit Free-Press. It wasn’t immediately known what Detroit was sending in the deal.
Bucks trade Khris Middleton to Wizards for Kyle Kuzma
On Feb. 5, the Milwaukee Bucks sent Khris Middleton and AJ Johnson to Washington for Kyle Kuzma and Patrick Baldwin Jr. The Bucks received a future second-round pick and agreed to a first-round pick swap in 2028.
76ers trade Caleb Martin to Mavericks
On Feb. 4 the Dallas Mavericks acquired Caleb Martin from Philadelphia for Quentin Grimes and a 2025 second-round draft pick.
Thunder trade draft picks with Hornets
On Feb. 3 the Oklahoma City Thunder traded a 2029 second-round pick to Charlotte for a 2030 second-round pick.
Kings trade De’Aaron Fox to Spurs, Bulls trade Zach LaVine to Kings
On Feb. 2, Sacramento, San Antonio and Chicago made a three-team deal that swapped all-stars De’Aaron Fox and Zach LaVine along with draft picks.
- Kings get: Zach LaVine from Chicago, Sidy Cissoko froM San Antonio and 2025, 2027, 2031 first-round picks and a 2025 and two 2028 second-round picks.
- Bulls get: Zach Collins and Tre Jones from San Antonio and Kevin Huerter from San Antonio along with a 2025 first-round pick.
- Spurs get: De’Aaron Fox and Jordan McLaughlin from Sacramento.
Mavericks trade Luka Doncic to Lakers for Anthony Davis, Jazz gets picks
On Feb. 1, In the first real stunner of the trade season, the Dallas Mavericks sent 25-year-old star guard Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles for big man Anthony Davis. They are the headliners, but the Mavericks also shipped Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to Los Angeles while the Mavericks also received Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick.
Utah was involved, also, get Jalen Hood-Schifino from and a 2025 second-round pick from Los Angeles. Dallas sent a 2025 second-round pick to the Jazz also.
Clippers trade P.J. Tucker to Utah Jazz
On Feb. 1, the Los Angeles Clippers traded former Milwaukee Bucks fan favorite P.J. Tucker, Mo Bamba, a 2030 second-round pick and cash to the Utah Jazz for Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills.
Phoenix Suns swap first-round picks with Utah Jazz
Per ESPN, the Suns traded an 2031 unprotected first-round pick to the Utah Jazz for 3 first-round picks (least favorable firsts in 2025 of Cleveland/Minnesota, 2027 of Cleveland/Minnesota/Utah and 2029 of Cleveland/Minnesota/Utah).
Suns trade Josh Okogie for Nick Richards
On Jan. 15, Phoenix sent Josh Okogie, a 2026 second-round pick and two, 2031 second-round picks to Charlotte for Nick Richards and a 2025 second-round pick.
Lakers trade D’Angelo Russell for Dorian Finney-Smith, Shake Milton
On Dec. 29, Los Angeles sent Russell, Maxwell Lewis and second-round picks in 2027, 2030 and 2031 to Brooklyn for Finney-Smith and Milton.
Nets trade Dennis Schroder to Warriors
Golden State acquired point guard Dennis Schröder and a 2025 second-round pick from Brooklyn for De’Anthony Melton, Reece Beekman and second-round picks in 2026, 2028 and 2029.
Pacers trade for Thomas Bryant
Indiana made the first deal of the season on Dec. 15, sending a 2031 second-round pick for Thomas Bryant.
Can the Bucks sign a buyout player?
Yes. There is a restriction, however – if a roster spot opens, the team can only sign a player who made less than $12.8 million before being bought out.
Can the Bucks buy out one of their own players?
Yes. If the team cannot find any trades that opens a roster spot, they can buy out one of their own players and sign a free agent minimum. The only restriction in this scenario would be the heavier tax bill to consider for adding a new salary.
