Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a superstar, but he can’t carry the Milwaukee Bucks alone next season.
The franchise faces serious depth issues after waiving All-Star guard Damian Lillard earlier this offseason.
The Milwaukee Bucks haven’t filled that void and could become one of the league’s worst teams if Giannis suffers an injury.
While they added Myles Turner, who had success with Indiana last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo needs more offensive support.
Photo by John Fisher/Getty ImagesKevin O’Connor believes Kuzma deserves benefit of doubt
Kyle Kuzma could emerge as a key contributor for Milwaukee next season despite his disappointing debut campaign. His numbers looked unimpressive, but circumstances explain his struggles.
Kuzma joined the Bucks in early February through the trade that sent Khris Middleton to Washington, giving him limited time to adjust to new expectations.
NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor thinks Kuzma’s struggles can be excused given the dramatic change in expectations from Washington to Milwaukee.
“I think it’s fair to give him a pass for last season. It’s hard to go from losing from four straight years with no expectations to win, to suddenly starting having winning expectations,” O’Connor explained.
After the trade, Kuzma played 33 games and averaged 14.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Those numbers dropped significantly compared to his previous Washington production.
Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty ImagesPrevious production shows Kuzma’s scoring potential
Reports from NBA circles suggest Kuzma is working hard this offseason, indicating potential for improvement in his second Milwaukee season.
The scoring output Milwaukee needs from Kuzma already exists in his recent track record. His Washington numbers prove he can be a legitimate second scoring option when properly utilized.
During the 2023-24 season with Washington, Kuzma averaged 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 33.6% from three-point range. That level of production would help reduce Giannis’s scoring burden considerably.
O’Connor dismisses criticism about Kuzma’s work ethic and character, defending the forward’s commitment and effort levels.
“Maybe he just wasn’t in the best shape. I think sometimes there’s this perception of Kuzma that he’s lazy or he doesn’t care, no, I think Kuzma is a good dude, a good teammate and a genuine person, he works hard,” O’Connor said.
Offseason preparation could fuel bounce-back season for Kuzma as Giannis needs reliable scoring partner
O’Connor believes proper offseason conditioning will determine Kuzma’s success in Milwaukee. Physical preparation becomes crucial for meeting championship-level expectations.
“If he is indeed in the gym this summer to get into optimal shape, then he is in for a bounce back,” he added.
The analyst’s confidence stems from Kuzma’s proven ability to produce when healthy and focused. His Washington success wasn’t an accident but the result of consistent effort and opportunity.
With Lillard gone and Giannis potentially handling more point guard duties, reliable secondary scoring becomes essential. Kuzma’s 22-point average would solve Milwaukee’s biggest offensive problem.
Giannis’s future with the Bucks remains uncertain amid ongoing trade speculation. If he stays and takes on expanded playmaking responsibilities, Kuzma must step up as the primary scoring complement.