Milwaukee Bucks fans know the rollercoaster ride that is Kyle Kuzma's tenure with the team. Last year's trade deadline saw Kuzma arrive with high expectations, only to leave fans frustrated with his shot selection and decision-making. It wasn't the debut anyone hoped for.
Fast forward to this season, and Kuzma's story is taking a different turn. He's tightened up his game, showing improved shot selection, more disciplined defense, and fewer mistakes. Yet, the shadow of last season's struggles lingers, as evidenced by his appearance at No. 9 on Bleacher Report's list of the NBA's most overrated players.
So, what keeps Kuzma on that list? His 3-point shooting remains a work in progress, a skill many of his peers have managed to refine.
With a $22 million salary, some argue he's not delivering enough bang for the buck. His past with the Wizards, where he averaged over 20 points per game, adds a layer of expectation that can be hard to shake.
Kuzma was brought in as a potential young star to fill the void left by an aging Khris Middleton, but financial strategy likely played a bigger role in the move. Despite the expectations, Kuzma's stats tell a story of improvement. His 2-point shooting is near a career-high at 55 percent, and he's upped his free-throw percentage to 73.3 percent from last season's 66.3 percent.
While his scoring average has dipped, it's largely due to a reduction in minutes as he shuffles between the bench and starting lineup. His per-36 numbers surpass those from his post-trade performance in 2024-2025, with 12.9 points, five rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Notably, his turnovers have dropped to 1.6 per game, and his assist-to-turnover ratio has improved to 1.57 from last season's 1.0.
Defensively, Kuzma has stepped up as Milwaukee's primary wing defender, especially before Ousmane Dieng's arrival. While his on-off rating is still negative, it's a significant improvement from last season. His win shares per 48 minutes are the best since his time with the Lakers in 2020-21, a stark contrast to last year's net negative.
Kuzma may not be an All-Star, but he's proving to be a valuable role player. The challenge lies in overcoming the lasting impression of his playoff struggles last year, which have shaped the media narrative.
As the summer approaches and Kuzma becomes an expiring contract, both he and the Bucks are eyeing a strong finish to boost his trade value and reshape his reputation with rival teams.