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    You are here Home » Do Milwaukee Bucks Have Unexpected “Wild Card Factor” in Year 2 of Kyle Kuzma?
    Bucks

    Do Milwaukee Bucks Have Unexpected “Wild Card Factor” in Year 2 of Kyle Kuzma?

    John SbisaBy John SbisaJune 14, 2025No Comments4 Mins Read
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    Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee Bucks, Bucks news
    Feb 7, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) boxes out Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) in the third quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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    Kyle Kuzma’s Milwaukee Bucks tenure has been disappointing, at times downright embarrassing, since he arrived from the Wizards before the 2025 trade deadline. From botched layups to his playoff benching, it hasn’t been pretty. Many fans want him traded. Figuring out a way to do so, while netting a useful return, would be a win for the Bucks. If they’re stuck with him, however, he could be an unexpected contributor next season off the bench, says one team analyst.

    Can Kuzma Move Past Horrendous Start to Milwaukee Bucks Career?

    In 33 games for the Bucks last season, Kuzma averaged 14.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He shot 45.5% from the field, 33.3% from deep and 63.4% at the free-throw line. On the surface those numbers may look fine, if mediocre, but they’re not what the Bucks hoped for when they traded him. At this juncture, it seems those hopes were misplaced.

    Particularly, the inefficiency he showed in Washington mostly persisted – Kuzma posted one of the league’s worst true shooting percentages last season. He did not benefit from open looks generated by Giannis Antetokounmpo gravity like some fans and writers, this one included, unrealistically anticipated.

    Milwaukee Bucks, Kyle Kuzma, Bucks news
    Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma grabs a rebound and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on during the first half.

    His miserable postseason – 5.8 PPG, 34.3/20/50% shooting splits – left a bitter, bitter taste. Kuzma’s poor decision-making also produced some eyesore turnovers, including a bizarre backcourt violation. His Game 1 performance – zeros across the board – made postseason history. By Game 5, Kuzma was bench-warming.

    Yeah: it was bad.

    It doesn’t help that he posted a cheeky video in the offseason referring to Giannis trade gossip. It did not go over well with the fanbase.

    Nonetheless, now that we’ve come to terms with who Kuzma is and expectations aren’t as high – could they get any lower? – perhaps he could surprise as a punchy bench option. Analyst Camille Davis of the “Locked On Bucks” podcast sees a world where it could happen.

    Milwaukee Bucks, Kyle Kuzma, Bucks news
    Feb 12, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

    By Asking Kuzma To Do Less, Could the Bucks Get More?

    Much of next season’s roster-building will have to do with navigating Damian Lillard’s absence. If they don’t make a splash in the free agent or trade markets, the Bucks will have to settle for a team-construct of Giannis surrounded by a supporting cast of productive role players. Bringing back guys like Gary Trent Jr., Bobby Portis and Kevin Porter Jr. is a critical step in that process. But Kuzma would have to be part of the picture too.

    “I do they if they’re able to re-sign all those guys they have enough,” Davis said, “and I feel like Kyle Kuzma is also that wild card factor coming off the bench. Because if he can find some rhythm, find his spots, be put in positions to succeed, he could be someone who’s giving you a solid 15, 16 points a game.”

    Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee Bucks, Bucks news
    Mar 18, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) drives around Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

    At decent efficiency, the Bucks would probably take that, helping to hold them over until Damian Lillard returns from his Achilles recovery process and can start reconditioning himself as a secondary offensive option.

    Kuzma started 32 games in Milwaukee last season, averaging 31.8 minutes per night. By bringing him off the bench, coach Doc Rivers can cut his losses if Kuzma plays poorly and perhaps get more out of him without the pressure of producing as a starter.

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    Bobby Portis Damian Lillard Kyle Kuzma
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    John Sbisa
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    John Sbisa is a contributor for Wisconsin Sports Heroics, Hardwood Heroics and Behind the Buck Pass at FanSided. An English grad from the University of Michigan, he approaches content creation with a focus on combining public narratives and analytics.

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