Kyle Kuzma Stays Put at the Deadline - But His Future with the Bucks Is Far from Settled
The NBA trade deadline came and went, and Kyle Kuzma is still wearing a Milwaukee Bucks jersey. That alone raised a few eyebrows around the league.
With his name swirling in trade rumors leading up to the deadline, many expected the forward to be on the move. But instead of being shipped elsewhere, Kuzma is staying in Milwaukee - at least for now.
The Bucks’ decision to hold onto Kuzma wasn’t just about this season. It’s about what comes next.
Why Kuzma’s Contract Becomes More Valuable This Summer
One of the biggest reasons Milwaukee stood pat at the deadline? Flexibility - or more specifically, the lack of it.
The Bucks didn’t have many big expiring contracts to work with, which made it tough to swing a significant deal. Both Kuzma and Bobby Portis, two of the most talked-about names in Bucks trade chatter, are under contract beyond this season.
That made them less attractive to teams looking for short-term salary relief.
But that changes once the season ends.
Come summer, Kuzma will be entering the final year of his deal - a $20.3 million expiring contract. That kind of contract becomes a much more valuable trade chip in the offseason.
Teams are more willing to take on that salary when they know it won’t stay on the books long-term. And if Milwaukee is willing to sweeten the pot with draft picks - something they’ve been known to do when chasing upgrades - Kuzma’s value only goes up.
Milwaukee’s Urgency to Build Around Giannis
Let’s be clear: the Bucks are in win-now mode. Every move they make revolves around maximizing the championship window with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
That urgency isn’t going away - in fact, it’s only growing stronger. With more of their draft capital becoming trade-eligible this summer, Milwaukee will have more ammunition to go after high-impact players.
That means Kuzma and Portis will likely find themselves back in trade talks once the offseason hits. This time, though, the Bucks will be better positioned to make something happen.
Kuzma’s Fit in Milwaukee: Productive, But Not Seamless
To be fair, Kuzma hasn’t been a disaster in Milwaukee - far from it. He’s taken on an ever-shifting role, bouncing between lineups and adjusting on the fly.
That kind of versatility isn’t easy to find, and he’s handled it like a pro. But it’s also clear that his skill set doesn’t quite mesh with what the Bucks need right now.
He’s capable, and in the right situation, he could be a real asset. But for a team trying to fine-tune the roster around Giannis, fit matters just as much as talent. And Kuzma, for all his strengths, hasn’t been the cleanest fit in Milwaukee’s system.
A Summer Audition - and a Potential Trade Partner
So what happens next? Kuzma will finish out the season with the Bucks, but make no mistake - this is an audition.
Every game is a chance to show other teams what he brings to the table. Whether it’s scoring, rebounding, or providing lineup flexibility, he’ll be looking to boost his stock heading into what could be a busy summer.
One team to keep an eye on: the Memphis Grizzlies. The Bucks reportedly had interest in Ja Morant right up until the trade deadline buzzer. If that interest picks back up in the offseason, Kuzma’s expiring deal could be a key piece in a potential package - especially if Memphis leans into a rebuild.
For now, Kuzma stays in Milwaukee. But the writing on the wall is clear: his future with the Bucks is anything but certain.