It's early, but Kyle Kuzma is showing the NBA world why the Milwaukee Bucks believed in him when they traded for him. In his 10 performances, Kuzma has been a shot in the arm for the Bucks off the bench, a notable change from last season, when the Bucks primarily used him as a starter. Coming off the bench has unearthed the version of Kuzma Milwaukee has been longing for.
Role change has made a world of difference for Kyle Kuzma
During his time with the Washington Wizards, where he started in 230 of 232 games, Kuzma put up gaudy numbers -- 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game -- but they rarely led to wins. The forward is more than capable of putting up these flashy numbers, but it's not the type of role he needs to be in for his team to succeed. Yet, that's the Kuzma the Bucks got last season.
Upon arriving in Milwaukee after the trade deadline, Kuzma played like he was still the go-to guy with the Wizards. His shot diet was often erratic, and his passing led to a few stomach-churning turnovers. It simply boiled down to him trying to do too much. He played like he was a star, but the Bucks needed him to be a complementary piece. This year, that message has been loud and clear.
Kuzma has changed up his shot profile tremendously. Knowing the Milwaukee Bucks needed him to focus on attacking the hoop rather than force a jumper, Kuzma is driving to the hoop with authority, especially on his cuts, where he is shooting 9-of-11 (81.8 percent). The jumpers are still there, but it feels like Kuzma has been much smarter about when to take them rather than firing away constantly.
The change in mindset has resulted in a much clearer impact from Kuzma. He's averaging 13.8 points per game, the third-most on the Bucks behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and the rising Ryan Rollins. It may be his lowest scoring output since 2020-21, but it's the most impactful he's looked offensively in years. Rather than just getting his numbers, he's impacted wins with smart shots and passes.
Defensively, he's been a shining light for this Milwaukee team. He has the height, length, and smarts to give players of all sizes trouble. Currently, opposing players are shooting 34-of-91 (37.4 percent) with Kuzma as their primary defender. Not only is that the best mark on the Bucks, but it's the fourth-best in the entire NBA. His defensive impact is undeniable.
All of the above was on display in Milwaukee's latest win against the Dallas Mavericks, a 116-114 nail-biter. Off the bench, Kuzma poured in a season-high 26 points. While he did sink two 3-pointers, most of his damage came from attacking the hoop, an undeniable strength of his. Defensively, he spent time guarding just about everyone on the floor and kept them in check to the best of his ability.
This version of Kyle Kuzma could be the needle-tipper Milwaukee needs. Coming off the bench has seemingly ignited a fire beneath him that could not be found when he started. Instead of thinking he is the hero, he's playing off everyone else, just like when he helped the Los Angeles Lakers win the title in 2020. The Milwaukee Bucks are hoping history repeats itself this season.
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