The Kyle Kuzma trade has aged poorly, to say the least, for the Milwaukee Bucks. To cut their losses and undo some of the damage, they should aggressively shop him this offseason. Not only could they net a serviceable player in return, but it would create an opportunity for a tantalizing prospect already on the roster. Trading Kuzma might be the key to unlocking 20-year-old Tyler Smith.
Smith could be hidden gem, but Bucks must let him shine
While Kuzma's shooting struggles this season, and, to an extent, throughout his career, were a known factor, he did not benefit from playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard like the team anticipated. He started sinking a few more shots down the stretch, but his mediocre 3-point and free-throw shooting tanked his efficiency.
His at times suspect decision-making became an eyesore in the playoffs. Any regular season progress was overshadowed by his abysmal first-round performance and ultimate benching.
In hindsight, swapping Middleton for Kuzma looks like an egregious blunder, also because the Bucks surrendered AJ Johnson, a promising youngster, as part of the transaction. Unloading Middleton's salary at the deadline did generate some financial flexibility that gives them more options in any deal. Now below the second apron, they can aggregate salaries and receive more salary than they send out. Both factors increase the viability of a trade.
That's good news for Smith. As long as Kuzma is on the roster, he will likely continue as the starting small forward and backup four. His $22 million salary dictates that he receive his share of playing time. Featuring Kuzma in the rotation stunts Smith's role.
As a rookie, Smith appeared in only 23 games. Only twice did he reach double-digit minutes. In the regular season finale, with the Bucks locked into the five-seed and resting regulars, Smith scored 20 points while shooting 6-of-9 from the field and 4-of-6 on 3-pointers.
Unlike Kuzma, Smith has a reliable outside shot. Making the most of his chances, he finished the season 13-of-30 from beyond the arc (43 percent). An athletic 6-foot-11, he would not sacrifice size at power forward and is much more explosive inside the paint. If he has a path to play, Smith could grow into the regular backup behind Giannis as well as play with him at times, as Bobby Portis, who is shorter, has done as a floor-spacing big man.
The faster Smith develops, the sooner the Bucks can have another capable rotation piece (which, for the most part, Kuzma has not been).
Even after sneaking below the second apron, they have limited trade options due to a lack of draft capital and movable salary. If they want to be competitive in the future, the Milwaukee Bucks must nurture what young talent they have. For Smith, the best way to expedite that process is to get rid of a player many fans already want gone.