Kyle Kuzma’s name has hung around trade talk for so long that it almost feels baked into his Milwaukee Bucks tenure. But if the Bucks are serious about turning that chatter into something useful, the cleanest move might be the simplest one: start him next season and let him rebuild his market from day one.
That approach could do more than just showcase Kuzma. It could also give Milwaukee a real shot at turning him into assets later, especially if he looks like a player teams can trust down the stretch.
The case for boosting his value starts with the reality of where it stands now. Kuzma wasn’t the Bucks’ biggest problem last season, and he did produce solidly while staying healthier than a lot of his teammates.
Still, the 2025 NBA Playoffs left a mark. In that run, he averaged 5.8 points and 2.2 rebounds on 34.3 percent shooting, a stretch that is hard to ignore when teams are weighing whether to make a deal.
That’s where the expiring contract matters. With less long-term commitment attached, a trade for Kuzma would be easier for another team to justify than it would have been before. If he opens the season strong, he could start looking like the kind of solid two-way combo forward a contender might want for the stretch run.
There’s also a clean basketball fit here if Milwaukee wants to go that route. Taylor Jenkins has plenty to sort through at the forward spots, and Kuzma could be the veteran answer that helps ease Nate Ament and Bogoljub Markovic into bigger roles. Starting him would also keep the Bucks leaning competitive while the younger pieces settle in.
Of course, nothing says Kuzma has to still be in Milwaukee when the season begins. The Bucks are still rumored to be active on the open market, so there’s always a chance he’s moved before opening night. But if he is still around, the best play may be to put him in the first five immediately and let the season do the rest.
Kuzma still has value. Whether that value gets used in Milwaukee or somewhere else, the next step is on him to prove it.
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