Not all Milwaukee Bucks fans were thrilled to hear that Kyle Kuzma is changing his jersey number from 18 to 0 this season. It's Damian Lillard's old number, which already involves awkward territory so soon after Dame's departure. Social media users were quick to juxtapose the jersey switch with Kuzma's infamous 0-filled box score in the playoffs this past season.
But it's also the number Kuzma wore as a cog on the 2020 Lakers title team. If he can rediscover certain aspects of his game, he could go from a negative asset to a quality contributor, helping to assist a playoff contender.
Bucks need Kuzma to stay within himself, dig in on defense
Let's be clear. Kuzma's shooting struggles are his biggest concern with the Bucks. Yet, from a raw scoring efficiency standpoint, he was barely better in 2020 than he was last season.
He made a higher percentage of right-corner threes - surprisingly, Kuzma shot 45.7 percent from the left last season - and converted slightly more inside the paint. He sank a few more free throws versus his Bucks numbers. From the field and beyond the arc overall, however, he was worse. He didn't transform in the playoffs, either, shooting 35.4/31/80 percent in the NBA Finals against Miami.
He was actually more efficient in two different Lakers seasons, reaching a career-best 36 percent from distance each time.
He didn't help win a ring with lights-out shooting. What he did provide was tight defense and role player tools. In Los Angeles, he played within his role, and he played it well. He brought a defensive energy that dissipated during his time as Wizard, locking up opposing forwards with his length, quickness, and strength. He dug in his heels and committed to being a force on that end of the floor.
On the Wizards' offense, he was a second or even first option on tanking, unmotivated teams. His effort lapsed on defense. He was overextended as a playmaker and ballhandler. Upon joining Milwaukee, Kuzma himself said he felt rejuvenated just to be playing competitive basketball again. After the season, he also admitted that he was not quite in shape to play the part the team asked him to.
His minutes and usage in Milwaukee should be closer to his Lakers role. His shot volume after the trade was very similar to his last two years in Los Angeles; in 2020, he started only nine of 61 regular season games. The Bucks don't need him to be a big fish in a small pond, hoisting up shots or slinging bad passes. Whether in the starting five or off the bench, they do need him to channel his defensive tools and be a sparkplug on both ends.
Difficult to move in a trade, Kuzma will likely still be here to begin the season, although a deal before then isn't impossible. Clarifying his role will help. No one expects Kuzma to fill the jersey of the last player to wear No. 0 in Milwaukee. If he can simply be a better, more focused version of himself than in 2024-25, the Milwaukee Bucks will take it.