Despite constantly being in trade whispers since first arriving, Kyle Kuzma remains a Milwaukee Buck. Pivoting to a youth-focused timeline this summer, those rumors are bound to carry over into the new season. If the Bucks truly want to move Kuzma, their best bet might be to raise his value right from the jump next season by starting him, allowing him to show off his skills on a higher level.
If they do that, they might have a legitimate shot to not just move him but also collect some assets.
Kuzma's value isn't through the roof right now
The Milwaukee Bucks had a lot of problems last season, but Kyle Kuzma was far from the biggest one. He wasn't perfect, but the forward actually produced well and was one of the healthier Bucks players. However, many people are justifiably hung up on his appalling performance in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, in which he averaged 5.8 points and 2.2 rebounds on 34.3 percent shooting.
If the Bucks want to trade him once and for all, he will have to raise his value to get teams to forget his abysmal postseason showing. Now that he is set to be on an expiring contract, teams will potentially be more open to trading for Kuzma than they were when he had multiple years left on his deal, as trading for him would be far less of a commitment.
If Kuzma impresses and a team feels like it is in need of a solid two-way combo forward down the stretch, it would make plenty of sense for them to take a swing on him.
Kuzma could be Milwaukee's starting four next season
When looking at the starting lineups Taylor Jenkins could craft next season, the biggest mystery is both of the forward spots. Jenkins will have an assortment of options to choose from, and it will not be surprising if he starts the youth movement with a veteran like Kuzma playing a key role, allowing him to ease youngsters like Nate Ament and Bogoljub Markovic into things.
With winning as many games as possible the goal, Jenkins could very well lean on a veteran like Kuz to start the season. If the forward plays well, it could knock out two birds with one stone by increasing his value and also helping the team be competitive. Once the trade deadline rolls around, they could have an opportunity to capitalize on grabbing more assets for their forward.
There is no telling how Taylor Jenkins will utilize the forward this coming season. There is also a world where Kuzma isn't on the team to even begin the new campaign, as the Milwaukee Bucks are rumored to still be active on the open market. Yet, if he is, the team's best bet might be throwing him into the starting five right off the bat.
Kuzma still has value. He can make positive contributions, whether it's in Milwaukee or elsewhere. With a bigger role on the horizon, it's his time to prove it.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks anlysis.
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