NBA

Bucks receive: Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin and second-round pick

Wizards receive: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson and 2028 first-round pick swap

After years as a vital contributor, the clock ran out for Khris Middleton in Milwaukee. Injuries surely played a role in the 33-year-old’s regression, and as a result, the Bucks went looking for an upgrade. Enter Kyle Kuzma. The 29-year-old has also declined this season, but he’s a better performer than Middleton at this juncture. That’s what Milwaukee wants, though Kuzma’s fit in the frontcourt with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez is relatively clunky.

The Bucks will have two-plus months — ample time — before the playoffs to sort that situation out, and another move could be on the way. What matters, though, is that Milwaukee positioned itself as the clear fourth-best team in the East with this trade. Besting the Celtics, Cavaliers or Knicks will be difficult, but the Bucks now have a fighting chance.

Patrick Baldwin’s role in this transaction for the Bucks is minimal, and the same goes for the future second-round selection.

What’s not minimal, however, is sending out a 2028 first-round pick swap to the Wizards, along with 2024 first-round pick AJ Johnson. If Antetokounmpo departs Milwaukee, that 2028 selection could present excellent value. Johnson is simply a wild card at this point, as he’s quite raw at 20 years old.

The Wizards fared decently well here. Sure, Washington likely could’ve fetched more for Kuzma had it traded him last year, but gathering a juicy first-round pick swap and a prospect in Johnson is solid work. It remains to be seen what will happen with Middleton. The swingman holds a $34 million player option for 2026.

Bucks Grade: B+

Wizards Grade: C+

76ers receive: Cash

Pistons receive: KJ Martin, 2027 second-round pick and 2031 second-round pick

This transaction is nothing more than a salary dump, and the Pistons took advantage of it — well, kind of. Philadelphia paid a hefty price — Martin and two second-round selections — to obtain significant luxury-tax savings, but it’ll afford the franchise increased flexibility to make future moves.

Adding two second-round picks is nice, but taking on Martin’s remaining salary of around $8 million for 2026 isn’t worth it for Detroit. Yes, the Pistons are under the cap, but I would’ve liked to see Detroit collect more than just two-second round picks for facilitating a salary dump.

76ers Grade: B+

Pistons Grade: C+

Celtics receive: Heavily protected second-round pick

Rockets receive: SG Jaden Springer, 2030 second-round pick and heavily protected second-round pick

This trade is solely a luxury-tax saving move for Boston, relieving the franchise of around $15 million in payments. That’s perfectly fine, but the Celtics are parting with low-end assets to get the deal done, and making too many negative moves along the margins can come back to bite you.

For Houston, the club — for free — collects an upcoming restricted free agent with some promise in Springer and a second-round pick. Not bad.

Celtics Grade: C-

Rockets Grade: A-

Pelicans receive: Cash

Thunder receive: C Daniel Theis and 2031 second-round pick

Another mostly inconsequential trade! The Pelicans made this move to duck the luxury tax, and well, at 12-38, I can’t fault them. The 32-year-old Theis also had no future with the franchise.

It’s iffy as to whether the Thunder will actually keep Theis. The center could be a buy-out candidate, but either way, Oklahoma City is adding a second-round pick way down the road for their trouble. I can’t fault them, either.

Pelicans Grade: A-

Thunder Grade: B+

MLB

Twins sign CF Harrison Bader to one-year, $6.25 million contract

To call Bader a glove-first center fielder would be an understatement. The 30-year-old is among the best outfield defenders in MLB, but produced a ghastly .657 OPS in 2024. That’s not the end of the world, however, for the Twins, as Bader’s job will simply be to spell Byron Buxton in center field. The light-hitting veteran will surely make his share of starts, but it’s hard to envision Bader making 500 or more plate appearances this season.

Bader’s modest projections beg a fair question, though. Why would the cash-strapped Twins guarantee Bader $6.25 million for just one season? Protecting the talented Buxton is a good reason, but this is a hefty payday for a player that specializes in defense and speed.

Grade: C