The Bucks made a bold move, swapping Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma in hopes of injecting youth and versatility into their lineup. They wanted someone who could contribute right away, and Kuzma has done just that. With his size and ability to score in bunches, he’s made an impact on both ends of the floor.
Jamal Collier of ESPN pointed out that people aren’t giving Kuzma enough credit for what he’s brought to the bench. He also emphasized how badly Milwaukee needed a younger player who could bring fresh energy to the team. Since joining the Bucks, Kuzma has been logging 34.2 minutes per game—his highest since the 2022-23 season. His ability to step up when Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard take a breather has been huge.
But Doc Rivers has identified a problem with him. Adjusting to a new team is never easy, and for Kuzma, the transition in Milwaukee has come with its challenges. Head coach Rivers acknowledged the growing pains after the Bucks lost to the Cavs 112-110, noting that while some players have quickly adapted, Kuzma’s adjustment has been more complex.
“I think each guy’s probably different in that, because each guy plays a different role,” Rivers explained. “I would guess, Jericho’s probably the easiest because he’s a five. He’s playing the five. He’s rolling, you know? He knows exactly what his role is. I think Kuz is probably the hardest in a lot of ways.”
Rivers believes Kuzma‘s struggles stem from being overly unselfish. “You can feel him at times, probably should go, doesn’t go,” he said. “I think he’s being almost too unselfish right now, in my opinion.” He pointed out instances where Kuzma had early opportunities to attack but hesitated. “I think I counted three or four times today where we advanced it to him early on. He was just going for it. Now, he’s trying to find guys. I want him to go start playing more aggressive and go downhill.”
Feb 7, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) reacts after a basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Kuzma himself admitted he needs to step up. “Yeah, I’m an unselfish player. I try to make the right reads and the right passes,” he said. “But I definitely feel that I could be a little bit more aggressive or be a little bit more of an initiator.”
The Bucks star acknowledged that finding his role has been tricky, especially with limited practice time. “A lot of times, my role and my placement on this team is fine, but there’s a lot of times I think we can find ways to get me more active in that regard,” Kuzma said. “We talk about it as a team for sure. It’s just sometimes we’re trying to figure it out in the midst of no practice time. Practice really being the games and whatnot.”
The forward also pointed out that Milwaukee’s second unit is still developing chemistry. “Sometimes even in the second unit, we’re not necessarily the most organized because we haven’t played together a lot,” he explained. “Usually that’s typically my time to actually do that when the big dogs aren’t necessarily on the court.”
Despite the early struggles, Kuzma remains confident that things will fall into place. “This is our rehearsal. We’re still trying to figure it out, but we will figure it out,” he said.
For now, the Bucks will look to get Kuzma more involved, ensuring his skill set is fully utilized as he continues adjusting to his new team. But one area Doc Rivers would have no complaints is shooting.
Kyle Kuzma has surprised everyone with his shooting
When the Bucks traded for Kyle Kuzma, there were plenty of questions about how he’d fit—especially with his shaky three-point shooting. At the time, he was hitting just 28.1% from deep, a major concern for a team that thrives on spacing. Given how much Giannis and Lillard need the floor spread, it wasn’t crazy to wonder if Kuzma would struggle.
Early on, those concerns seemed valid. He often hesitated on the perimeter, looking unsure about taking threes. But since the All-Star break, that hesitation is gone. Over the last eight games, he’s shooting 37% from deep on 3.4 attempts per game, a huge jump.
Jan 15, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) on the court before the game against the Detroit Pistons at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
A big part of his success? Giannis. The Greek Freak’s ability to draw defenders has created easier shots, and Kuzma has made them count—hitting a lot of threes off Giannis’ passes since the break.
His offensive impact has been undeniable, but he’s also been a solid defender, making him even more valuable. Of course, eight games is a small sample size, and history suggests he might cool off. But if he keeps shooting above 35%, he’ll be a dangerous weapon for the Bucks. With the open looks he’s getting, there’s every reason to believe he can.
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