Bucks' Kyle Kuzma Demoted for Game 5

The Milwaukee Bucks are heading into a critical Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers where they are down three games to one. And in an attempt to change things up, Milwaukee is making some roster changes.

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In order to come out on top, the Bucks have elected to start small forward Gary Trent Jr. instead of Kyle Kuzma.

New group for Game 5. pic.twitter.com/29luAbXwIN
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 29, 2025

Trent has performed exceptionally in the postseason, averaging the second-most points on the team (15.3) behind Giannis Antetokounmpo (33.8). In addition to that, he is averaging 1.5 total rebounds, one assist, and two steals per game.

His most significant contribution in the series came in the only game Milwaukee won where he recorded 37 points, three total rebounds, and four steals.

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Meanwhile, Kuzma is only averaging six points, 1.5 total rebounds, and one assist per game. His most infamous moment came in Game 1 when he spent 22 minutes on the court and didn't record a single statistic.

It's Easter, but Kyle Kuzma is hunting goose eggs.

0 PTS
0 REB
0 AST
0 STL
0 BLK
0-5 FG
0-2 3P
0-2 FT
21 MINS

That's the most minutes by any player in a 0/0/0/0/0 game in the last 10 playoffs. pic.twitter.com/eJC4D4U4o5
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 19, 2025

While that single game is obviously an extreme example, it is representative of what fans believe Kuzma's time with the Bucks has been so far.

Kuzma came to the Bucks from the Washington Wizards in exchange for beloved forward Khris Middleton.

Looking at the regular season stats, it makes sense. Through the whole season, Middleton averaged 11.9 points, 4.1 assists, 3.7 total rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game. Meanwhile, the younger Kuzma averaged 14.8 points, 5.7 total rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.6 steals.

However, the postseason is where Middleton truly shined, able to pick up the slack when the team truly needed him. In last years' six game series against Indiana, he averaged 24.7 points, 9.2 total rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 0.5 steals per game, completely dwarfing Kuzma in comparison.

Needless to say, Kuzma is going to need to step up if he wants to remain a part of this organization, especially with the team's playoff future very much in question.

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