Bucks: resolve the Kuzma's enigma

[nolian]

i think Kuzma doesn't fit in the new bucks

so i searched for similar contract that fit better (trade one to one)

my list

1° Malik Monk
this is the ideal solution for the Bucks, however i think Sacto doesn't accetp one to one trade, and i don't know if the Bucks can add other player appreciated by Kings or future draft picks. The Kings appreciated Kuzma before his trade to the Bucks
Bucks: Monk, Porter/Trent, Prince, Giannis, Turner
Kings: Schroeder, Lavine, DDR, Murray/Kuzma, Sabonis

2° Greyson Allen
he can lose minutes in a roster with Booker, Green, DillonBrooks, his trade value can go down
Suns: Booker, Green, Brooks, Kuzma, M.Williams
Kings: Porter/Anthony, G.Allen, Prince, Giannis, Turner


3° DDR
DDR is not the ideal fit with the Bucks, but instead of Kuzma i think is an upgrade
Bucks: Porter, Trent, DDR, Giannis, Turner
Kings: Schroeder/Monk, Lavine, Murray/Ellis, Kuzma/Murray, Sabonis

what do you think about? what's your choise, one of these or another one?

[hugepatsfan]

To the Celtics for Simons could make sense at the deadline if that $5M savings means the difference between BOS in and out of the tax. My guess is that this offseason BOS plans to use their full MLE and acquire a player via S&T for Simons if he's still on the roster. Kuzma sucks but as expiring filler he's fine for a trade this offseason and arguably better to use for that than Simons via S&T because there's logistical issues with that.

Doesn't make sense unless that $5M savings this year makes the difference of being over or under the tax though. If not, it's just not worth the extra money on the books next year. And even in that case, BOS is probably owed some type of additional value for the multi year savings from MIL. They may not particularly want Simons either though so maybe muti team.

[Scoot McGroot]

To the Celtics for Simons could make sense at the deadline if that $5M savings means the difference between BOS in and out of the tax. My guess is that this offseason BOS plans to use their full MLE and acquire a player via S&T for Simons if he's still on the roster. Kuzma sucks but as expiring filler he's fine for a trade this offseason and arguably better to use for that than Simons via S&T because there's logistical issues with that.

Doesn't make sense unless that $5M savings this year makes the difference of being over or under the tax though. If not, it's just not worth the extra money on the books next year. And even in that case, BOS is probably owed some type of additional value for the multi year savings from MIL. They may not particularly want Simons either though so maybe muti team.

Could also make sense if Boston makes a trade and has to aggregate salary to do so. Might end up close to the 2nd apron that backfilling roster spots would be difficult/not possible?

But yeah, agreed that it would require a specific fiscal reason to make that swap. In general, I think an effective shooter in Simons is more useful than an iffy garbage time producing forward like Kuzma.

[SkyHook]

To the Celtics for Simons could make sense at the deadline if that $5M savings means the difference between BOS in and out of the tax. My guess is that this offseason BOS plans to use their full MLE and acquire a player via S&T for Simons if he's still on the roster. Kuzma sucks but as expiring filler he's fine for a trade this offseason and arguably better to use for that than Simons via S&T because there's logistical issues with that.

Doesn't make sense unless that $5M savings this year makes the difference of being over or under the tax though. If not, it's just not worth the extra money on the books next year. And even in that case, BOS is probably owed some type of additional value for the multi year savings from MIL. They may not particularly want Simons either though so maybe muti team.

This is the only kind of deal where the Bucks wouldn't have to spend significant draft capital to move Kuz, imo.

[HornetJail]

a Monk/Kuzma swap is the most Kings move imaginable

[gswhoops]

a Monk/Kuzma swap is the most Kings move imaginable

*to sign Schroder and Russell Westbrook

[Celts17Pride]

To the Celtics for Simons could make sense at the deadline if that $5M savings means the difference between BOS in and out of the tax. My guess is that this offseason BOS plans to use their full MLE and acquire a player via S&T for Simons if he's still on the roster. Kuzma sucks but as expiring filler he's fine for a trade this offseason and arguably better to use for that than Simons via S&T because there's logistical issues with that.

Doesn't make sense unless that $5M savings this year makes the difference of being over or under the tax though. If not, it's just not worth the extra money on the books next year. And even in that case, BOS is probably owed some type of additional value for the multi year savings from MIL. They may not particularly want Simons either though so maybe muti team.

0% chance the Celtics are taking Kuzma and his extra year without at least one first round pick coming back in the trade, would probably take multiple 1st round picks.

[Mavrelous]

I'd keep him, he's a big wing, and he was OK 2 years ago, not worth dumping him.
Next year, his expiring can be used for a trase or S&T.

[hugepatsfan]

To the Celtics for Simons could make sense at the deadline if that $5M savings means the difference between BOS in and out of the tax. My guess is that this offseason BOS plans to use their full MLE and acquire a player via S&T for Simons if he's still on the roster. Kuzma sucks but as expiring filler he's fine for a trade this offseason and arguably better to use for that than Simons via S&T because there's logistical issues with that.

Doesn't make sense unless that $5M savings this year makes the difference of being over or under the tax though. If not, it's just not worth the extra money on the books next year. And even in that case, BOS is probably owed some type of additional value for the multi year savings from MIL. They may not particularly want Simons either though so maybe muti team.

0% chance the Celtics are taking Kuzma and his extra year without at least one first round pick coming back in the trade, would probably take multiple 1st round picks.

Disagree, pending the situation I described in my post. If they get below the tax this year, even if they go back over next year with Tatum back they'll pay regular rates vs. repeater rates (for one year - going back over next year would mean in years beyond they go back to repeat status; would need to stay under this year and next to fully reset). The salary/tax savings this year for Kuzma being $5M cheaper than Simons, the fact that ducking the tax means they get a tax payout from other teams, and then paying regular vs. repeater rates next year outweigh the extra money they're taking on with Kuzma's second year.

it's obviously not their first choice, but if that swap means ducking the tax it's a net positive financial move for them provided that they would be comfortable as a tax team next year. Doesn't mean they'd keep Kuzma next year, just use his salary in a trade to add something they want. That's what I expect them to do with Simons anyway via S&T next offseason (either directly or by creating a TPE with his outgoing money). It's really no different to them if Kuzma is the outgoing piece for them over Simons and saving that $5M this year could be a no-asset cost way to shed money.

MIL would owe in the swap though, so probably can squeeze something out of them.

[gswhoops]

i think Kuzma doesn't fit in the new bucks

Kuzma at his current salary doesn't fit any team that's trying to win meaningful games.

[Celts17Pride]

To the Celtics for Simons could make sense at the deadline if that $5M savings means the difference between BOS in and out of the tax. My guess is that this offseason BOS plans to use their full MLE and acquire a player via S&T for Simons if he's still on the roster. Kuzma sucks but as expiring filler he's fine for a trade this offseason and arguably better to use for that than Simons via S&T because there's logistical issues with that.

Doesn't make sense unless that $5M savings this year makes the difference of being over or under the tax though. If not, it's just not worth the extra money on the books next year. And even in that case, BOS is probably owed some type of additional value for the multi year savings from MIL. They may not particularly want Simons either though so maybe muti team.

0% chance the Celtics are taking Kuzma and his extra year without at least one first round pick coming back in the trade, would probably take multiple 1st round picks.

Disagree, pending the situation I described in my post. If they get below the tax this year, even if they go back over next year with Tatum back they'll pay regular rates vs. repeater rates (for one year - going back over next year would mean in years beyond they go back to repeat status; would need to stay under this year and next to fully reset). The salary/tax savings this year for Kuzma being $5M cheaper than Simons, the fact that ducking the tax means they get a tax payout from other teams, and then paying regular vs. repeater rates next year outweigh the extra money they're taking on with Kuzma's second year.

it's obviously not their first choice, but if that swap means ducking the tax it's a net positive financial move for them provided that they would be comfortable as a tax team next year. Doesn't mean they'd keep Kuzma next year, just use his salary in a trade to add something they want. That's what I expect them to do with Simons anyway via S&T next offseason (either directly or by creating a TPE with his outgoing money). It's really no different to them if Kuzma is the outgoing piece for them over Simons and saving that $5M this year could be a no-asset cost way to shed money.

MIL would owe in the swap though, so probably can squeeze something out of them.

Celtics are not trading for Kuzma, dream all you want. If the Celtics had any interest in a Simons for Kuzma deal it would be done already. Milwaukee would take that in a heart beat.

[realEAST]

What about Kuzma for T. Mann?

Brooklyn take on some salary this and next year, but clean the third year of contract; Bucks lower their salary total, opening some space to add vet min guys. (total salary is basically a wash, Bucks take on a few milions in total).

Bucks get a guard / wing; both him and Kuzma had a down year, but Mann offers defense, and is more likely to find motive to be good...


EDIT:

Could they even expand it to inlcude Cam Thomas sign and trade, if his salary demands come down to a realistic level (agrees to smaller salary because he is playing for a contender) - Bucks put C. Livingston and A. Jackson in the trade for example...

Or just make it Kuzma + minor asset for Cam Thomas sign and trade. Bucks are not close to lux tax or 1st apron

[penbeast0]

Kuzma before the trade had been the same player for a few years. Could get his shot but was always a little on the inefficient shot of league average, rebound for a SF (but not for a PF), pass well for a PF (but not for a SF), and didn't give you much on defense. Confident, even cocky, good locker room guy. Then he went to the Bucks and absolutely cratered.

Given the several years of play, I'd assume the Kuzma he showed before last year is the real one. Still not a player I'd look for with not very efficient scoring and not very good defense, but at least a guy you could bring in off your bench with confidence (which is the same thing I said about him when he was putting up 20 ppg in Washington).

Like Jordan Poole, I'd expect a bounce back year. Not to a particularly good player but to the kind of player he was before last year.

[nykballa2k4]

Kuz is a good guy to have as just a guy on the team. Like he is fine if he is your weak link. The issue is that right now he is your #2 creator on offense. Simons, McCollum, Cam Thomas, IQ, etc are more equipped for that sort of role. I think that there will be one of those level guards available. The question is do you trade Kuz with asset for a #3 option to be cast as a #2 or do you wait a year and maybe have more assets to get a better fish?

Is there someone you can swap Kuz for 1:1 that better fills needs? ironically Poole would be a contender for a Kuzma swap.

[tester551]

Grant + Reath
for
Kuzma + Smith

[WiscoKing13]

Kuzma for Barrett is the one that makes sense. Barrett is better fit for the Bucks and Toronto gets out of the tax.

[Godaddycurse]

Kuzma for Barrett is the one that makes sense. Barrett is better fit for the Bucks and Toronto gets out of the tax.

except we are trying to win and barrett >> kuzma on court. We already have CMB and Barnes occupying PF. Your best bet is probably derozan

[NYG]

Kuzma and '31 1st for Monk is the deal

[babyjax13]

What about Kuzma for T. Mann?

Brooklyn take on some salary this and next year, but clean the third year of contract; Bucks lower their salary total, opening some space to add vet min guys. (total salary is basically a wash, Bucks take on a few milions in total).

Bucks get a guard / wing; both him and Kuzma had a down year, but Mann offers defense, and is more likely to find motive to be good...


EDIT:

Could they even expand it to inlcude Cam Thomas sign and trade, if his salary demands come down to a realistic level (agrees to smaller salary because he is playing for a contender) - Bucks put C. Livingston and A. Jackson in the trade for example...

Or just make it Kuzma + minor asset for Cam Thomas sign and trade. Bucks are not close to lux tax or 1st apron

I like the Kuzma for Mann idea a lot.

[JayMKE]

Kuzma and '31 1st for Monk is the deal

Not worth the 1st