Bucks News, Transactions, Trade Ideas - Giannis Thoughts on Middleton Trade Page 90

[PG Graveyard]

TBF, a lot of this board has been all aboard the "distressed asset" train and actually advocated for guys like Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine, so I'm not seeing how this is that much different. Kuzma's the same age as those guys, has a way better contract, and at least has played defense in the past. That's all I got.

We are also trading a severely distressed asset as well.

[jschligs]

I think people need to realize this is the type of return we'd get from Midds. Is it pretty? No. But he's younger, can still score at times, and isn't nearly as slow/injured.

I don't love it and I'm not advocating for it but this is what folks should expect. Not some Bobby/Midds for Butler type of deal.

[soxperry]

TBF, a lot of this board has been all aboard the "distressed asset" train and actually advocated for guys like Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine, so I'm not seeing how this is that much different. Kuzma's the same age as those guys, has a way better contract, and at least has played defense in the past. That's all I got.

Wiggins played championship level defense for the Warriors abd Lavine is showing near elite level offense

Kuzma cant shoot, is a mediocre playmaker and played defense at one point but not lately. I dont think we care about the contracts nearly as much as we do the talent.

Hes just a very underwhelming talent to bring back for Khris

[soxperry]

Im rolling the dice w Khris if Kuzma is the best we can do

[JayMKE]

TBF, a lot of this board has been all aboard the "distressed asset" train and actually advocated for guys like Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine, so I'm not seeing how this is that much different. Kuzma's the same age as those guys, has a way better contract, and at least has played defense in the past. That's all I got.

I am adamant about not wanting any other these guys but what does Kuzma actually do that’s better than those guys? What does he even do good period? AFAIK He’s not good at anything besides jacking up shots at low % and acquiring him to play defense would be about as smart of expecting Malik Beasley(also a better player) to be a POA defender. He’s also a legit stupid person, stay far away. Jordan Poole is legitimately a way better player on the Wizards.

[fan230]

It would be interesting to know how Giannis would feel getting Kuzma for Khris.

Also, Khris has been playing well recently & his chemistry with Giannis is a big asset.

[machu46]

I 100% believe they're considering Kuzma. Wizards likely just wanna get off that contract and if we really don't wanna trade the 2031 1st, then these are the kinds of options we have left to us...

TBF, a lot of this board has been all aboard the "distressed asset" train and actually advocated for guys like Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine, so I'm not seeing how this is that much different. Kuzma's the same age as those guys, has a way better contract, and at least has played defense in the past. That's all I got.

Yeah I'm with you here. I absolutely believe Kuzma is someone we're considering (also, weren't there reports that we were interested in him last season as well?) And agree, it's a fairly big risk because he's just been rotting away in Washington for several years now, but he did show an ability to do the kinds of things we'd want him to do when he was with the Lakers and even early on with the Wizards. His play has declined the last two years or so and has really gone off the rails this season, but if you get him playing more like his norm, the contract really isn't bad in 2025 and he is at least young, fairly athletic, and has good size for matching up with wings.

It's tough though...it's hard to put into words just how abysmal the basketball ecosystem is here in DC right now lol. Granted Kuzma is a part of it, but it's just a horrific brand of basketball.

I'm not necessarily endorsing the move but I would understand it if that's where Horst ends up.

[paulpressey25]

Khris and Pat for Kuzma and Valanciunas is a legal trade. Ugh.

If we don’t give up the 2031 first, I think I’d actually make that trade IF there was nothing else available.

Jonas has a relatively high rebounding percentage and might allow you to trade Bobby or Brook. It would shake things up a bit, and both guys contracts are moveable.

[JayMKE]

Khris is a better player than Kuzma right now

[msiris]

Khris is a better player than Kuzma right now

Hell Bobby is better.

[Ron Swanson]

Kuzma was unequivocally the more tradeable asset between him, LaVine, and Wiggins just, what, 200-days ago? I'm just pointing out the fickle/reactionary nature that a lot of people have when these dudes put up bad or good numbers for half a season. They're all equally gross options, I just have to chuckle when people say things like "Andrew Wiggins is the much better player" based on something he did 3-years ago.

[fan230]

Will it likely help our chip chances this year if we do Khris plus Pat for Kuzma and Valencuinas? Thoughts?

[Baddy Chuck]

Kuzma does not help this basketball team unless trading for him lowers our payroll and opens up another trade that actually does.

[JayMKE]

Khris is a better player than Kuzma right now

Hell Bobby is better.

Yea Bobby has more range, is more efficient, better rebounder

I struggle to even think of a worst fit than
Kuzma, he legit sucks at anything we’d want him to do. Dude shoots 60% at the line and 28% from 3, honestly Ajax is a better player even. Kuzma is the highest ranking tank commander in the Scrub Army

[Frank Nova]

Bad contract, doesn't play defense, and can't shoot? Hell yes.

I’m not advocating for Kuzma at all but I have to say that I don’t find that contract bad at all, I’d actually consider it “team friendly”. He makes 23m and the contract depreciates over the next 3yrs down to 19m when he expires. I wouldn’t consider that all that bad in today’s NBA. And, again not advocating here but he actually checks out as more of a neutral defender by the numbers more so than “bad”. I think that’s a misconception he gets flamed for by the fans being stuck on a total **** show Wizards team. But you’re 100% accurate he can’t shoot now for whatever reason. Like Giannis % FT shooter now and a TS under 50%. Like, really bad.

[msiris]

Will it likely help our chip chances this year if we do Khris plus Pat for Kuzma and Valencuinas? Thoughts?

Neither will. Rather not have Kuza since his contract is longer If he continues to suck then we ar stuck with a guy who is not a good rebounder and can't shoot 3s.

[soxperry]

Kuzma was unequivocally the more tradeable asset between him, LaVine, and Wiggins just, what, 200-days ago? I'm just pointing out the fickle/reactionary nature that a lot of people have when these dudes put up bad or good numbers for half a season. They're all equally gross options, I just have to chuckle when people say things like "Andrew Wiggins is the much better player" based on something he did 3-years ago.

I dont think many people feel like Wiggins is a much better asset. My argument is that it makes more sense to go after Wiggins than Kuzma right now. And i dont think that was different for the Bucks at any point. Another non shooter playing w Giannis is a weird investment.

No one can argue that this board isnt reactionary to the extreme. But people wanting Beal is a much better example of that kind of lunacy than Bucks fans preferring usable, skill fit over Kuzma

[Ron Swanson]

Unless it's part of a bigger trade, this would clearly be an asset play, as well as just getting a guy that can give you a consistent 30+ minutes in the postseason if they're pretty much resigned to Khris' body being broken. Maybe the 2031 1st would be outgoing and broken up into multiple picks? Washington has a protected 2030 Golden State 1st and 18 tradeable 2nd's, and we all know how much Horst loves to bundle 2nd round picks.

[BigO]

Bad contract, doesn't play defense, and can't shoot? Hell yes.

I’m not advocating for Kuzma at all but I have to say that I don’t find that contract bad at all, I’d actually consider it “team friendly”. He makes 23m and the contract depreciates over the next 3yrs down to 19m when he expires. I wouldn’t consider that all that bad in today’s NBA. And, again not advocating here but he actually checks out as more of a neutral defender by the numbers more so than “bad”. I think that’s a misconception he gets flamed for by the fans being stuck on a total **** show Wizards team. But you’re 100% accurate he can’t shoot now for whatever reason. Like Giannis % FT shooter now and a TS under 50%. Like, really bad.

So what you're saying to Siefer is that it''s a good contract, doesn't play defense, and can't shoot. Still not very enticing.

[fan230]

If Kuzma is this bad as a player, we really shouldn’t get him at any cost, surely not at the cost of Khris!

Maybe Horst wants to get fired so that he can go to Detroit.