When the Milwaukee Bucks traded longtime franchise cornerstone Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, reactions were mixed. Middleton had been a critical piece of Milwaukee’s 2021 championship run, but his injury struggles in recent years made his availability uncertain. The Bucks, desperate to retool around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, opted for the younger and more durable Kuzma to fill their void at forward. So far, the early results have been encouraging, even if there are some clear areas for improvement.
Analyzing Kyle Kuzma’s Start with the Bucks
A New Role, A New Opportunity
Kuzma arrived in Milwaukee embracing a role he hasn’t played since his days with the 2020 Lakers—fitting in as a high-level complementary piece rather than carrying the offensive load. The Wizards often relied on him as a being a primary scorer, but that role didn’t always lead to winning basketball. Now, he’s playing alongside two of the NBA’s best offensive forces in Antetokounmpo and Lillard, allowing him to focus on spacing the floor, defending multiple positions, and contributing in transition.
Offensive Struggles and Bright Spots
Statistically, Kuzma’s scoring output with the Bucks has been consistent with his numbers in Washington, but efficiency remains a work in progress. Over his first seven games in Milwaukee, Kuzma has averaged 16.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, shooting 41.9% from the field and just 29.7% from three. While his perimeter shooting remains inconsistent, he has shown flashes of valuable floor spacing.
His best offensive performance came in a loss to the Golden State Warriors, where he put up 21 points on 6-of-9 shooting. However, there have been games, such as his debut against the Atlanta Hawks, where he struggled with shot selection, finishing with 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
Defensive Impact: A Pleasant Surprise
While the Bucks brought Kuzma in primarily for his scoring and rebounding, his defense has been a surprising bright spot. In seven games, opponents are shooting just 36.7% when defended by Kuzma, showcasing his ability to contest shots and use his length effectively.
His standout defensive performance came in Milwaukee’s 116-110 win over the Clippers, where he played a key role in the fourth-quarter comeback. He guarded Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Bogdan Bogdanovic at different points, holding them to a combined 4-of-16 shooting. The Bucks outscored the Clippers by 15 points in the final quarter with Kuzma playing all 12 minutes, showing his value as a versatile wing defender.
Fitting in with Giannis and Dame
One of the biggest questions surrounding this trade was how Kuzma would mesh with Milwaukee’s star duo. Due to an injury to Antetokounmpo, their first game together didn’t come until the Bucks’ victory over the Clippers. The early signs are promising—Kuzma hit two threes off feeds from Giannis and Dame and ran the floor well in transition.
His rebounding has also been critical, especially with the Bucks missing Bobby Portis due to his 25-game suspension, making it even more crucial moving forward. Kuzma pulled down 13 rebounds against the Timberwolves and eight against the Wizards, showing his ability to contribute beyond just scoring.
What’s Next for Kuzma and the Bucks?
The Bucks made this move with the playoffs in mind, and Kuzma’s role will only become more defined as the team builds chemistry. His defensive impact has been a major boost, but his offensive efficiency needs to improve, particularly from beyond the arc. If he can continue embracing his role as a do-it-all forward while refining his shooting, he could end up being one of the most impactful trade deadline acquisitions in the league.
For now, Kuzma’s early stretch with Milwaukee has showcased both promise and areas for growth. The Bucks took a gamble in moving on from Middleton, but if Kuzma continues trending in the right direction, he might be exactly what this team needs to make a deep postseason run.
Photo credit: © Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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