The Milwaukee Bucks are going to be one of the worst teams in the NBA this year. That much has become obvious through the first 11 games of the new season. So, they need to focus all of their attention on the trade deadline. Playing the right young pieces. Setting themselves up for the future. And Kyle Kuzma isn’t doing them any favors in that regard.
Kuzma is 31 years old. He doesn’t fit the Bucks’ current timeline at all. He’s on an expiring contract worth $20.5 million. By those metrics, he’s a prime trade candidate. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been playing very well this season, and Milwaukee is still giving him a hefty number of minutes. It’s been a tough watch, especially after a hot start to the year.
By the time the trade deadline comes around, the Bucks need to try to find a landing spot for Kuzma. But if he keeps playing like this, few teams will want him.
Kyle Kuzma isn't helping his trade value
This past summer, there were already rumors swirling that the Bucks were trying to trade Kuzma. He and Myles Turner were being thrown around in potential trade conversations.
Obviously, none of those conversations panned out. Both guys are still on the roster. Turner’s multi-year deal makes him nearly impossible to trade, but teams could potentially be interested in Kuzma’s expiring contract.
That is, if he was playing well enough. In the right situation, a team could look to buy on a guy who won’t be on their books past this year. But now, even that seems to be in question.
Kuzma’s counting stats aren’t awful. He’s averaging 11.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 47.5% from the field and 33.3% from deep range on 4.9 3-point attempts per contest.
But Kuzma isn’t the best defender. And for the amount of money he is making, you’d probably want a bit more production from him, especially if you’re trading for the contract.
In order to add Kuzma, most teams would have to match his salary somehow. And even though his deal is expiring, $20.5 million isn’t a super easy number to match.
Right now, all Kuzma is doing is taking away minutes from other players on the Bucks who could potentially have a future with the team. All the while, he isn’t doing much to improve his trade value.
So, as the Bucks look to field offers for Kuzma at the deadline, he isn’t making their life any easier.
Add us as a preferred source on Google