Bucks move on from Kyle Kuzma in blockbuster three-team mock trade

Joe Mayo

Bucks move on from Kyle Kuzma in blockbuster three-team mock trade image

The Milwaukee Bucks took a huge swing before the 2024-25 trade deadline, acquiring Kyle Kuzma from the Washington Wizards in exchange for a package featuring veteran Khris Middleton and 2024 first-round pick AJ Johnson. 

Kuzma appeared in 33 regular-season games for the Bucks in 2024-25, averaging 14.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists across 31.8 minutes per contest. However, the 29-year-old forward struggled in the club’s first-round playoff loss to the Pacers, during which he averaged just 5.8 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 34.3 percent from the field in only 20.6 minutes per game. 

Now, he could be on the move once again as Milwaukee attempts to stay in title contention — and keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy. 

MORE: Blockbuster mock trade sends Giannis Antetokounmpo to Atlanta

SI.com recently compiled a three-team mock trade that would send Kuzma to the Atlanta Hawks, bringing two players to Milwaukee. 

Here’s the proposed trade: 

Bucks receive: Grayson Allen, Kobe Bufkin

Hawks receive: Royce O’Neale, Nick Richards

Suns receive: Kyle Kuzma, Vit Krejci, 2026 second-round pick (MIL), 2030 second-round pick (ATL), 2032 second-round pick (ATL)

If the Bucks decide they want to move on from Kuzma, this mock trade would reunite them with Grayson Allen and bring in a young, high-upside guard in Bufkin.  

Allen previously spent two seasons in Milwaukee before being included in the blockbuster three-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Bucks. Over the past two seasons with the Suns, Allen averaged 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists, shooting an impressive 44.5 percent from three-point range during that span. 

Bufkin, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has seen limited NBA action due to injuries. However, he was a standout player during his sophomore year at Michigan and has shown potential in limited G League appearances. 

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Joe Mayo

Joe Mayo is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. Born and raised in Wisconsin, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2024. He’s also a contributor at RotoWire. While Joe primarily writes about the NBA, he also covers the WNBA and MLB.