Days after Milwaukee Bucks fans were heartbroken to see Bulls star Zach LaVine traded to Sacramento, the same fans are now perplexed by rumors surrounding Kyle Kuzma. The Washington Wizards forward has been heavily linked to the Bucks, with one Eastern conference executive saying that the team is “trying like hell” to pick up the veteran.
Why Are the Milwaukee Bucks Pursuing Kyle Kuzma?
Approaching the trade deadline, everyone would agree that the Milwaukee Bucks need to do something. The team has been stuck in neutral this season, and despite having star power like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, have been far from impressive. The Bucks are currently 26-22 and in need of a shake-up to return to contending status.
Enter Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma. The former champion with the Los Angeles Lakers has had trade rumors circulating him before, but now, with just days before the February 6 deadline, it appears Milwaukee is determined to add Kuzma to the mix. The reported price for Kuzma was veteran forward Khris Middleton as well as draft compensation.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards have discussed a Khris Middleton-for-Kyle Kuzma trade, per @JoshuaBRobbins & @davidaldridgedc
“Two league sources said the Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks have explored a potential deal in which Milwaukee would send Khris Middleton and… pic.twitter.com/tFH3AsvDyJ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 4, 2025
Middleton has had injury problems this year and has been averaging only 12.6 points per game, his lowest mark since his first year in Milwaukee all the way back during the 2013-14 season. At 33 years old, many fans feel his time in Milwaukee is near its end.
Kuzma has also been in decline. After averaging a sneaky 22.2 points per game last season, he has regressed to 15.2 per contest this year. Commonly criticized for being an inefficient scorer, his effective field goal percentage has also tanked to .469, which would be the lowest mark of his career.
Washington would need to include another player in the deal if it were to be a straight swap, due to salary cap restrictions. A move for Kuzma would see the Bucks signing up to take on the remaining three years of the 4-year, 90-million dollar deal he signed in 2023.
According to ESPN’s Hollinger Analysis, such a move would not be very unfavorable for Milwaukee, who would be projected to lose over 15 wins this season by making the deal. While concerns about Middleton are certainly valid, there are also plenty of concerns surrounding Kuzma.
Milwaukee Fans Are Not Pleased About the Possibility of Adding Kyle Kuzma
It’s hard to find a positive reaction to the Kyle Kuzma rumors on Bucks Twitter. The potential move is being universally criticized by the fanbase, particularly given how other teams seem to be involved in much bigger rumors with much better players.
Bucks went from Jimmy Butler talks to “Kyle Kuzma” and they want me to believe Giannis isn’t gone in the summer? pic.twitter.com/aSOOMhzZOL https://t.co/fYMUz4EY28
— 🗽🗽 (@Bruns0n0wnsU) February 4, 2025
The Wizards’ net rating is 10.7 points WORSE when Kyle Kuzma is ON the court for them.
He literally makes the worst team in the league significantly worse.
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) February 5, 2025
Just watched all the possessions from Kyle Kuzma’s 31 point game in the Wiz win vs Wolves that snapped their losing streak before it set a new franchise record. Should be the most charitable game possible to pick.
The Bucks should under no circumstance acquire this player.
— Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) February 5, 2025
While everyone agrees that the Bucks have to do something at this trade deadline, it seems that many fans would rephrase such a statement to “anything other than Kuzma.”
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