When the Milwaukee Bucks acquired Kyle Kuzma at the trade deadline, the questions about their ostensible fit around one another or general manager Jon Horst's eye for talent came fast and furious, and for good reason.
We won't front: this writer had raised those same questions, too. Could he coexist with Giannis Antetokounmpo? Would two non-shooters not just clog the floor and stifle the Bucks’ already clunky offense? Would Kuzma’s reputation as an inefficient volume scorer on bad teams translate to winning basketball in Milwaukee after playing that role for years?
For a team already under immense pressure to contend, the move felt like a gamble, especially considering they had to give up a beloved franchise cornerstone to make it happen.
But as the Bucks have surged, winning eight of their last nine games, those concerns have quieted. Not only are Kuzma and Giannis coexisting—they’re thriving around one another. And the truth is quickly coming out: perhaps fit and spacing isn't everything when you have players whose strengths complement one another.
For Kyle Kuzma, it's not just about getting the wins; it's how they come
The early skepticism about the Giannis-Kuzma pairing centered on their perceived lack of shooting.
Both players are at their best when attacking the rim, and the fear was that their overlapping skill sets would make the Bucks’ offense predictable and easy to defend. But what critics overlooked was the fact that both players are elite defenders, versatile slashers, and willing passers who can create opportunities for others. Those overlaps are redundant, yes, but with the right system, continuous movement, and good effort, it also makes their teammates around them better.
The stats paint a portrait of a cohesive partnership that’s working better than anyone expected. According to PBP Stats, in the 147 minutes Giannis and Kuzma have shared the floor with one another, the Bucks have outscored opponents by a net-plus 14.9 points per 100 possessions. That’s not just good—it’s elite.
While the 3-point shooting has taken a hit (it dips to 34.5 percent when the two are on the court), the Bucks are more than making up for it with their efficiency inside the arc. Their blistering 61.5 percent shooting on twos is a testament to the ways that Giannis and Kuzma complement each other, using their athleticism and basketball IQ to generate high-percentage looks.
As a result, their offensive rating in those minutes is 117.7, which would rank sixth in the NBA, only further proving that efficiency doesn’t always come from beyond the arc.
On the court, Giannis and Kuzma have developed a natural chemistry
It's not hard to see why things are working out after all.
Giannis’ gravity as a driver opens up lanes for Kuzma to cut and finish at the rim, while Kuzma’s ability to handle the ball and create his own shot takes pressure off Giannis to do everything. He's not an elite shooter, but opponents aren't comfortable with leaving him wide open, either.
Kuzma is bringing back memories of the Milwaukee Bucks' exploitation of the dunker area the way they did during the Mike Budenholzer era, except now they have the size to do so effectively.
Defensively, their length and athleticism make them a nightmare for opposing teams, capable of switching onto multiple positions and disrupting passing lanes. It almost completely cancels out the removal of Andre Jackson Jr. from the rotation.
While Kyle Kuzma is playing like his Los Angeles days, the Bucks are actually looking like that team, too. The parallels are clear: even as their spacing and shooting leave a lot to be desired, their efficient scoring inside the arc and their stifling, jumbo-sized defense are making up for a litany of errors.
Another important point is this: let’s not forget the role of Damian Lillard and Taurean Prince in all of this. This is, after all, not to argue that shooting doesn't matter at all. Because the truth is that Lillard’s gravity as a shooter and playmaker opens up the floor for Giannis and Kuzma to operate, while Prince’s sublime ability to space the floor ensures that defenses can’t collapse into the paint. Together, they’ve created an ecosystem where Giannis and Kuzma can thrive.
The Bucks’ recent surge has been about more than just Giannis and Kuzma. It’s obviously been a team effort this whole time, especially with resurgent performances from the likes of Gary Trent Jr. off the bench.
But the success of their partnership is a big reason why the Bucks look like a contender again. After a rocky start to the season, the Milwaukee Bucks have found their rhythm, and Kuzma has been a key part of that. His ability to score, defend and make plays has given the Bucks a level of versatility they’ve been missing all season.
Of course, the real test will come in the playoffs, where the stakes are higher and the margins are thinner. That's still an extremely valid question, as defenses are inevitably going to tighten up, but for now, the early concerns about Kuzma and Giannis have been put to rest. They’re not just coexisting—they’re elevating each other, and in the process, they’re elevating the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks are rolling, and Kuzma is a big reason why. What looked like a risky move at the deadline might just be the spark that saves their season.
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