“Why would they do that?”: Khris Middleton lets his disappointment known after Milwaukee Bucks traded him for Kyle Kuzma

The recent NBA trades have received baffling reactions all around. While the Luka Doncic trade was the highlight and generated wide attention, Khris Middleton’s surprising trade from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Washington Wizards also grabbed headlines. The Bucks were in a rush to acquire Kyle Kuzma for which they had to let go of Middleton. Recently the former Bucks forward shared his candid thoughts on his trade sharing his disappointment with a heavy heart.

Khris Middleton recently opened up about the emotional toll of being traded from the Milwaukee Bucks, a team he once believed would be his home for life. Speaking to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm, the former NBA champion admitted he’s still processing the move. "Yeah, it's a range," Middleton said.
"Like, it's a cycle I go through a lot of times. I'm trying to get out of that cycle now because it's over with, and there's no point of really going down that path. But definitely anger. Definitely like sadness. Like denial, 'Why would they do that?' Questioning their decision and stuff like that," he continued.
However, he acknowledged Buck's decision as the end of the day, it is business over emotion. "I mean, I could say my time could have ran out a long time ago. They held onto me, believed in the potential, believed in the work that they saw. But I think this time, it was just, we think a different route is better for our team going forward. And I can't do nothing but respect that," he added.
Following his departure from the Bucks, the 33-year-old shared a heartfelt message on social media. “Twelve years ago, I arrived in this city as a young player with big dreams. Today, I leave as an NBA champion, 3x All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist, and most importantly, someone who Milwaukee helped shape into the person and player I am today,” he wrote in a goodbye message for his former team.
He continued, “From the moment I stepped foot in this city, you embraced me. Together, we experienced the rebuilding years, the emergence of a championship contender,
and ultimately, the unforgettable journey to the 2021 NBA Championship. That magical run will stay with me forever - the late-game shots, the comeback victories, and most importantly, bringing the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to Milwaukee after 50 years.”
Middleton also wrote a heartfelt message to Bucks fans, “Your passion and support through every up and down has been nothing short of amazing. From the early days at the Bradley Center, to the energy at Fiserv Forum and the packed Deer District during our championship run - the way this entire city rallies behind its team is something special that I'll always cherish.”
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However, he asserted that it was not a goodbye, but rather a big “thank you” from his heart saying that the team will always have a special place in him but the new chapter of his career with the Wizards, as Middleton shared, was also exciting for him. This season Middleton is averaging 12.4 points per game, 3.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists.