With the Luka Doncic trade dominating the conversation in the NBA, the Kyle Kuzma trade to the Milwaukee Bucks went comparatively unnoticed.
Yet when it comes to the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks‘ decision to trade away Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards to bring in Kyle Kuzma, could end up being an important one.
Kyle Kuzma is a player with pedigree, who was stuck on a losing team. Now he is playing for a contender.
Stephen A. Smith instantly backed the decision as ‘the right move’ for the Bucks, arguing Giannis Antetokounmpo needed better than the 33-year-old Middleton was able to offer.
Kyle Kuzma made his debut for the Bucks after the trade deadline in a 115-110 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, scoring 12 points in 24 minutes.
Kuzma had a starting role against the 76ers on February 9, and began to show even more of what he was capable of.
It was a dominant win for the Bucks, with the 76ers fading in the second half, a 135-127 victory. Kyle Kuzma ended up with a 13-8-5 performance, with Dame Lillard leading the win with a stunning 43-8-8.
One fan wrote: “I’m excited about Kyle Kuzma. He is capable of doing many things and being impactful all over the court in offense, rebounding, defense and transition. Which can’t be said about many Bucks.”
Another added: “Kyle Kuzma is going to be this team’s “Manu Ginobili” in a respect in the fact that you want him to be ultra-aggressive but you’ve gotta live with some of those chaotic moments with the basketball as he applies pressure on the offensive-end.”
A comparison to Khris Middleton was also made, with a fan adding: “Just witnessed Kyle Kuzma creating his own shot and getting a bucket. Was told only Khris Middleton can do that.”
Another was fearful of the early promise, posting: “Kyle Kuzma don’t introduce me to what you cannot maintain please.”
“Kyle Kuzma is really growing on me,” wrote another, while one confident fan took a jab at a 76ers player, “Kyle Kuzma better than Paul George.”
The Milwaukee Bucks task against the 76ers was made more difficult by the injury suffered to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Shams Charania reported: “Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will be sidelined through the next week due to a mild calf strain and will miss the NBA All-Star Game next Sunday, sources tell ESPN. Antetokounmpo, out since Feb. 2, is expected to return to action shortly after All-Star break.”
The result maintains the Bucks’ position in fifth in the Eastern Conference, 28-23, just behind the 29-22 Indiana Pacers.
The 76ers still trail the Chicago Bulls, ranking 11th with a 20-32 overall record.
