The Milwaukee Bucks have made some significant roster overhauls since February's trade deadline, but there's reason to question whether all their decisions are lining up right now. Specifically, the additions of Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner made sense on their own, but perhaps not together.
It's relatively obvious that the front office wanted to complete the trade for Kuzma in order to escape the second tax apron. That much makes sense. But in terms of the on-court fit, it's a bit more complicated.
At the time of the deal, it looked as though Milwaukee was finally committing to Giannis Antetokounmpo as a full-time center. That would have been a natural evolution for a player whose physical gifts allow him to dominate in the paint, punish mismatches, and be a solid rim protector.
Pairing Giannis with Kuzma, a hybrid forward who can space the floor and attack off the dribble, seemed to offer balance and versatility. It gave Milwaukee the option to play faster, switch more, and take advantage of small-ball lineups that maximize Giannis’ skill set. But that equation changed a bit when the Bucks signed Myles Turner.
Milwaukee's additions don't necessarily line up
Turner is of course a natural at the five. He is a solid rim protector and a capable three-point shooter who operates best as the lone big in a lineup. By bringing him in, the Bucks have essentially re-slotted Giannis back to the four, which drastically alters the original premise of acquiring Kuzma.
Now, instead of offering complementary spacing or playmaking, Kuzma becomes an awkward third wheel in the frontcourt: too small to guard fives, and perhaps too offensively redundant to play next to both Giannis and Turner.
This decision also raises questions about lineup hierarchy. Who closes games? Where exactly does Kuzma thrive in this setup, especially given his up-and-down usage throughout his career thus far?
Milwaukee may still benefit from having more size and optionality up front, but these two moves appear philosophically out of sync. If the plan was to lean into Giannis as a center and surround him with mobile wings that can shoot, the Turner signing runs counter to that identity.
If the plan all along was to return to a traditional frontcourt with Turner as the anchor, then the Kuzma trade loses its logic outside of just cap maneuvering. It's a bit of a strange situation, and it may have a big impact on the Bucks' strategy in 2025-26.