Could RJ Barrett Be the Wing Playmaker the Bucks Have Been Missing?
The Milwaukee Bucks have a glaring need, and it’s not exactly breaking news: they need more playmaking on the wing. It’s been a theme all season, and while it may not be at the top of every fan’s trade deadline wishlist, a potential swap involving RJ Barrett and Kyle Kuzma could be exactly the kind of midseason gamble that pays off big for a contender with title aspirations.
Let’s break it down.
Why Barrett Fits What the Bucks Need
The Bucks don’t just need another scorer-they need someone who can create offense for himself and others without sacrificing size on the wing. That’s where Barrett comes in. At 6-foot-6, the former Duke standout brings a blend of volume scoring, improved shooting, and secondary playmaking that Milwaukee’s offense could really use-especially when Giannis Antetokounmpo sits.
Barrett is averaging 19.6 points, five rebounds, and 3.7 assists this season while shooting nearly 50% from the field. He’s also hitting 35.5% of his threes on over five attempts per game, which is right in line with his recent averages. He’s not a lights-out shooter, but he’s become reliable enough to keep defenses honest.
Compare that to Kuzma, who’s putting up 12.5 points, 4.5 boards, and 2.1 assists on similar minutes. His shooting splits-49.5% from the field, 31.4% from deep, and 75% from the line-have dipped after a hot start to the season. While Kuzma’s had his moments, he’s been inconsistent, and the Bucks need more stability in their second unit scoring.
Efficiency vs. Volume
Now, neither Barrett nor Kuzma is setting the league on fire with elite efficiency. Barrett is shooting 58.7% in true shooting, while Kuzma is just behind at 57.8%.
So we’re not talking about a huge gap there. But what separates Barrett is volume and consistency.
He’s failed to score in double figures just once in 23 games this season. That’s the kind of reliability Milwaukee can lean on when Giannis heads to the bench.
Barrett also boasts a usage rate north of 25%, nearly five percentage points higher than Kuzma. And while he’s not a primary playmaker, he’s shown he can create for others-averaging 4.7 assists per game during his time in Toronto. That’s a valuable trait for a Bucks team that sometimes struggles to generate offense outside of their stars.
Context Matters
It’s worth noting that Barrett’s numbers haven’t been inflated by a tanking team. The Raptors, while not elite, have been competitive-they’re currently fourth in the East with a 27-19 record.
So Barrett has been producing in meaningful games. That’s a different situation from Kuzma, who’s had stretches as the top option on a struggling Wizards squad.
Defensively, Barrett isn’t exactly a stopper. He’s had his struggles on that end throughout his career.
But he’s still a physical upgrade over smaller wings like AJ Green, who’ve been forced into bigger roles due to Milwaukee’s lack of size. The Bucks opened the year experimenting with small-ball lineups, but those have largely been shelved.
Barrett would give them more flexibility and size on the perimeter.
The Contract and Cap Implications
Financially, the deal would be a near-even swap in terms of years-both players have two seasons left on their contracts-but Barrett is owed $29.6 million next season compared to Kuzma’s $20.3 million. That’s a notable difference, but with the salary cap continuing to rise, it’s manageable. And from Toronto’s perspective, moving Barrett would get them below the luxury tax and offer some breathing room under the first apron.
The Draft Pick Swap: The Real Risk
Here’s where things get tricky. The trade proposal includes a pick swap that could sting if things go sideways for Milwaukee.
As it stands, Toronto would pick 20th in the 2026 draft, while the Bucks would pick ninth. That’s a significant jump, and if the bottom were to fall out of Milwaukee’s season, the risk grows even more.
But there are a couple of factors working in Milwaukee’s favor. First, Barrett is likely to help the Bucks win more games, not fewer.
Second, the Atlanta Hawks own the better of the Bucks’ and Pelicans’ picks. With New Orleans currently holding the league’s worst record, they’re unlikely to leapfrog Milwaukee.
Still, if the Bucks slide and the Pelicans close the gap, it could create a scenario where Atlanta ends up with a premium pick that originally belonged to Milwaukee.
That’s the gamble-one that comes with real consequences if the season takes a nosedive.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t a no-brainer trade, but it’s one that makes a lot of sense for a Bucks team that needs a jolt. Barrett brings more offensive punch, better size on the wing, and the kind of shot creation that can help Milwaukee survive non-Giannis minutes. The cost-both financially and in terms of a potential draft pick swap-is real, but so is the upside.
If the Bucks are serious about contending, this is the kind of swing worth taking.