When the Milwaukee Bucks acquired Kyle Kuzma at the trade deadline, they didn’t just add a versatile scorer to their roster—they gave him something he hasn’t had since his days with the Los Angeles Lakers: a legitimate chance to compete for a championship.
For Kuzma, this is a return to the role where he thrived, a role that was taken from him during his time with the Washington Wizards. In Milwaukee, Kuzma isn’t being asked to carry the load as a primary scorer or franchise cornerstone.
Instead, he’s being asked to do what he does best: play winning basketball as an extremely high-level role player and, at times, a fringe star. And for Kuzma, that’s the ultimate gift for someone of his caliber, especially after years of playing a mentorship role as one of the first options for the upstart Washington Wizards.
Kyle Kuzma hasn't been asked to play this role in a while
Kuzma’s career has been a tale of two roles.
With the Lakers, he was a key piece of a championship team, averaging 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds during their 2020 title year. He wasn’t the star, but he didn’t need to be. His job was to provide scoring off the bench, defend multiple positions and make winning plays when it mattered most. It was a role that suited him perfectly, and he thrived in it.
But when Kuzma was traded to the Wizards, everything changed. Suddenly, he was thrust into a leadership role, expected to be the face of a rebuilding franchise. While he put up impressive numbers—averaging 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in his best season with them in 2023—his individual success didn’t translate to team success. The Wizards were stuck in mediocrity, and Kuzma’s role as a primary option often led to questions about his consistency and decision-making.
Now, with the Bucks, Kuzma is back in a familiar role. He’s no longer the focal point of the offense or the face of the franchise. Instead, he’s a complementary piece alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, tasked with providing scoring, rebounding and versatility. It’s a role that plays to his strengths and allows him to focus on what he does best: making winning plays.
In many ways, Kuzma’s situation in Milwaukee mirrors his time with the Lakers. He’s surrounded by elite talent, which takes the pressure off him to carry the load every night. He can pick his spots, attack mismatches and use his athleticism to make an impact on both ends of the floor. It’s a role that allows him to thrive without the burden of being “the guy.”
Since joining the Bucks, Kuzma has shown flashes of the player he was during his Lakers days. He’s been more efficient, more engaged defensively and more willing to play within the flow of the offense. In his first three games with Milwaukee, he’s averaged 15.3 points, seven rebounds, and two assists while shooting 42.9 percent from the field. While his 3-point shooting, a putrid 26.7 percent, still needs improvement, his overall impact has been positive.
But perhaps more importantly, Kuzma looks completely rejuvenated. He’s playing with a sense of purpose and urgency, knowing that every game matters in the Bucks’ quest for a championship. It’s a stark contrast to his time in Washington, where individual stats often felt hollow in the absence of team success.
It's time for Kyle Kuzma to start winning again
For Kuzma, this trade is a chance to reclaim his identity as a winning player. It’s an opportunity to prove that he can be a valuable piece on a championship team, not just a stat-stuffer on a lottery-bound squad. For the Bucks, Kuzma represents a much-needed injection of scoring and versatility, someone who can take some of the load off Giannis and Lillard while providing a spark off the bench.
If Kuzma can embrace his role and deliver in the playoffs, this trade could be a game-changer for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The stage is set, and the stakes are high. If Kuzma can deliver, he’ll not only help the Bucks win a title—he’ll remind the league why he’s one of the most valuable role players in the game. The gift has been given. Now, it’s up to Kyle Kuzma to make the most of it.
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