Any major trade the Milwaukee Bucks make in the near future will almost certainly include Kyle Kuzma due to his $22.4 million salary. However, one of the reasons they didn't get one done this summer was because Kuzma's value is simply in the gutter after a terrible playoff showing. No one wants to take on that hefty salary right now, but if he bounces back, a trade becomes much more realistic.
Of course, that's far easier said than done. Kuzma has proven in the past that he can be an impactful piece on a contender, but it's been a while. He would have to completely turn the tide compared to his performance as a Buck last season for someone to take on the $22.4 million he will take on this year and the $20.3 million he is on the books for next year.
Kuzma has plenty to prove with the Milwaukee Bucks
Knowing they had to change things up from last season, the Milwaukee Bucks are doing their part to put Kuzma in a better position to succeed. Understanding his most impactful years came when he was one of the Los Angeles Lakers' top reserves rather than a starter, the Bucks are set to utilize the forward off the bench in 2025-26.
A bench role puts Kuzma in a better position to succeed for two reasons: he won't be relied on as much to help the team, and he can play his natural position. As a starter last season, Kuzma often tried to do too much offensively, largely with jump shots or erratic drives. He did so while playing out of position at small forward, which made for plenty of clunky lineup combinations.
In his new role, the blueprint is simple. If Kuzma can play as more of a complementary piece on the offensive end, meaning he must cut out the ill-timed jumpers, while playing stout defense, it will work wonders for his value. It's actually the type of play that made him a key piece in the Lakers' title run in 2020. That's the Kuzma contenders would like to have.
If Kuzma can regain that form before the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline, Milwaukee's odds of making a big move will skyrocket. If not, it's going to be significantly harder to make improvements to this roster, even if the Bcks are dangling their prized 2031 first-round draft pick.
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