Bleacher Report's latest mock NBA trades would see the Milwaukee Bucks move on from Kyle Kuzma, but the target is not quite what the roster needs.
Everyone remembers Game 1 of the Bucks-Pacers playoff series, where Kuzma failed to register a single digit in the box score in 22 minutes on the floor. It was not the only disappointing performance from Kuzma in a Bucks jersey, already leading to rumors of the team wanting to move on now before his trade value dips even further.
The latest mock trade sees the Bucks trade Kuzma and their 2031 first-round pick in exchange for Colin Sexton. A nice addition, but it doesn't fix the Bucks' glaring issues.
Sexton would be a good addition, but the Bucks have other needs
Milwaukee doesn't have the contracts or draft capital that will allow them to make a huge move to improve the roster, putting great value on the 2031 first-round pick. Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the team will clearly impact where this pick would fall in the draft, with those rumors unlikely to ever go away.
The Bucks' backcourt is not particularly strong, so yes, Collin Sexton would certainly improve it. He averaged 18.4 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.7 rebounds on shooting splits of .480/.406/.865 with the Utah Jazz last season. However, the team would have a large number of guards all under 6-foot-5, making it tough to find minutes, unless they play small with someone at the three spot.
This summer, he was traded to the Hornets and has just one year $18.9 million left on his contract. If things didn't work out, then the Bucks would be able to wash their hands in the offseason and head elsewhere.
Kuzma is the top name on the Bucks' list of players to potentially move on, with only Giannis, AJ Green, and Tyler Smith being the only other players eligible to be traded before mid-December. You get rid of a struggling player earning $22.4 million and with two years left on the deal, but questions at the wing positions would still exist.
Taurean Prince has shown glimpses of providing that 3-and-D wing the Bucks have needed for several years, but he has failed to step up in big moments. Chris Livingston is still raw, and Amir Coffey has impressed in preseason, but is still only on a training camp deal. Doc Rivers could go small with someone like AJ Green or Gary Trent Jr. at small forward, but would leave the Bucks lacking that physicality.
In the backcourt, the Bucks can make it work with the sheer number of solid players who can offer a variety of skill sets. The wing position remains uncertain as to who will truly hold down those spots in the rotation. Utah's Lauri Markkanen is a player who has found himself in trade rumors and is the sort of player Milwaukee needs, but the Bucks would find it extremely difficult to match his contract.
Kyle Kuzma is the top name on the Bucks' trading block, and this won't be the last time we see his name in mock trades. Adding Collin Sexton would improve the Bucks' backcourt, but it would create an even bigger issue at the wing position than the one that already exists.