For the first time since he won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019-20, it looks like Kyle Kuzma is set to come off the bench almost exclusively full-time. That is based on Doc Rivers bringing him off the bench in Milwaukee's recent preseason matchup with the Chicago Bulls, hinting at a starting five Bucks fans have been begging to see over the summer.
Kyle Kuzma is set to come off the bench
There has been speculation about whether Kyle Kuzma would start or come off the bench all offseason. Perhaps the biggest hint that he would be a reserve was General Manager Jon Horst saying that Kuzma would play more minutes at power forward, his natural position, this coming season, in an interview with Eric Nehm of The Athletic (Subscription required).
With Giannis Antetokounmpo not losing his starting forward spot anytime soon, that meant Kuzma would likely transition to a reserve. Indeed, it looks like that is the case.
A role in the second unit could be exactly what Kuzma needed. As a starter last year, he often looked out of place, being forced to guard players out of position and primarily serve as a catch-and-shoot threat offensively. There were glimpses of potential sprinkled in, but that's not his game. Coming off the bench, he can stick to his strengths more.
He doesn't have to worry about overcrowding the lane for Giannis. He can attack the hoop and cut to the rim when the opportunities are there. The Milwaukee Bucks will still need him to be versatile as a defender, but he won't have to guard smaller, more agile players almost exclusively. Simply, he will be playing in a more natural spot for a power forward.
If the role change holds true, it will be an adjustment for Kuzma. Over the last five seasons, he started in 294 of 333 possible regular season games. It's a role he got used to having every single season, but for the betterment of the Milwaukee Bucks, he must adjust. It could be the key to getting him back on the right track after last year's troublesome playoff run as a starter.
Kuzma looked decent in his action with the Bucks in their preseason game against the Chicago Bulls. While there were a few bad shot attempts are other head-scratching moments, he did find ways to score the basketball - both in the lane and from the perimeter - and attacked the glass. The little things could go a long way for the Bucks.
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