Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma spent three and a half seasons exiled to Washington on a Wizards team bereft of anything magical. The NBA champion hasn’t experienced winning since his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, things have changed drastically, as Kuzma was dealt to Milwaukee in exchange for Khris Middleton last week. With the Bucks, Kuzma is playing for something again, and it’s a far cry from the state of basketball in Washington. In Milwaukee, it’s playing for championships.
Bucks Forward Happy To Be Back In Winning Organization
Milwaukee Bucks Forward Kyle Kuzma “Licking His Chops” To Compete At the Highest Level Again
The Lakers have cut bait with several young, talented players since LeBron James made his way to Hollywood in 2018. Kuzma was one of them, although not before he got to experience the glory of winning a title. Kuzma’s impact on the Lakers’ 2020 championship was evident, and he was making himself into a reliable player. Unfortunately, the Lakers decided to go big star hunting, and the result of landing Russell Westbrook in 2021 meant the departure of Kuzma. In Washington, Kuzma never won much, but he did grow.
Now, in Milwaukee, Kuzma has an opportunity to play for a winning team and organization again. Not to mention a chance to play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, another champion, and Damian Lillard. Kuzma’s time in Washington ended, and his time with the Bucks is beginning. How does it feel to be on a winning team again? Kuzma opened up about that, per The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.
“It’s been four years. It feels a long time. But I was in a different space when I went to Washington. I already won a championship, so when I came to Washington it was like all right, let me find myself, let me find my game, let me see how good I can be, let me see what I can get better at. And I did that. And now I’m back in a situation to win, and that’s what it’s about. Obviously, I’ve been licking my chops for an opportunity to compete at a high level.”
Kuzma Doesn’t Guarantee A Championship, but He Sure Helps
Despite Giannis being their centerpiece and Kuzma being an obvious upgrade to Middleton, the Bucks championship chances rest in the hands of Lillard. His offensive production and shooting will make or break Milwaukee in the playoffs. Kuzma adds to the Bucks already impressive veteran supporting cast with Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Taurean Prince, and Gary Trent Jr. What Kuzma has that Middleton didn’t is youth and durability. Kuzma doesn’t miss much time in general, whereas missing time has played a significant role in Middleton’s game since the Bucks won their championship in 2021.
It’s also important to note Kuzma’s mental framework in this situation. He’s on a winning team, in a winning organization, where anything short of a finals appearance is a failure. The pressure is turned up, but for Kuzma, who has played under no pressure lately, it’s the perfect situation. All the growing Kuzma journeyed through in Washington has the chance to pay dividends in Milwaukee. With winning as the primary goal, Kuzma is right back where he was in Los Angeles. Only now, he has Giannis and Dame as his running mates, and that’s something to be happy about.
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