When the Milwaukee Bucks acquired Kyle Kuzma at the trade deadline, they thought they were getting a versatile scorer who could take some of the offensive load off Giannis Antetokounmpo and provide a much-needed spark in the playoffs.
But as the Bucks are quickly discovering, Kuzma comes with a significant caveat: his inconsistency. Both Lakers and Wizards fans know this all too well, and now Milwaukee is getting a firsthand look at the highs and lows of life with Kuzma.
If the Milwaukee Bucks want to make a deep playoff run, they’ll need to find a way to manage his erratic play—or risk paying the price when it matters most.
This has always been who Kyle Kuzma is, and the Bucks will make it work
Kyle Kuzma is the kind of player who can dazzle you one night and frustrate you the next.
In Washington, he was the Wizards’ second-leading scorer after Jordan Poole, averaging 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game for them this season before being traded to the Bucks for Khris Middleton.
But those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Kuzma’s game is defined by wild swings in efficiency and decision-making. One night, he’ll drop 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting, looking like an All-Star. The next, he’ll go 5-of-17 with questionable shot selection and costly turnovers. And that reflects in his efficiency for the season: 42.0 percent overall and 28.1 percent from behind the 3-point line.
Since joining the Milwaukee Bucks, Kuzma’s inconsistency has been on full display.
He’s had moments of brilliance—like his 21-point outburst against the Golden State Warriors—but he’s also had games where he’s disappeared entirely, shooting poorly and struggling to make an impact, including making just four of his 13 shots against the Atlanta Hawks in his Bucks debut. For a team with championship aspirations, this kind of unpredictability is a major concern.
Wizards fans are all too familiar with Kuzma’s rollercoaster performances. During his time in Washington, he was often criticized for his shot selection, defensive lapses and inability to consistently elevate his game in key moments. While he had flashes of brilliance, he was never able to establish himself as a reliable second option or a player who could be counted on nightly.
Now, the Bucks are learning the same lesson. Kuzma’s talent is undeniable, but his inconsistency makes him a risky fit for a team that needs stability and reliability in the playoffs. If the Bucks are going to make a deep run, they’ll need Kuzma to be more than just a streaky scorer—they’ll need him to be a consistent contributor on both ends of the floor.
Kuzma’s inconsistency is particularly problematic for the Milwaukee Bucks because of the role they need him to play. With Khris Middleton gone, Kuzma was brought in to be a secondary scorer and a reliable option alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. But if he can’t deliver on a consistent basis, the Bucks’ offense could become overly reliant on Giannis and Lillard, making them easier to defend in the playoffs.
The clock is ticking, and the pressure is on. The Bucks made a bold move to acquire Kuzma, but now they need to make it work. If they can’t, they may find themselves looking back at this trade deadline as the moment their championship hopes started to slip away.
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