Kyle Kuzma Hits Back at Being Called a ‘Throw-In’ in a Potential Giannis Trade

Kyle Kuzma is tired of being treated like a trade throw-in. And he let the internet know it.

The Milwaukee Bucks forward hopped on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to respond to a post suggesting he might just be a filler piece if the Bucks ever move Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kuzma quote-tweeted a post from Fullcourtpass and wrote: “Since when is a 6’9 wing who plays any role you ask, guards 1–5, shot almost 50% from the field and cares about defense a ‘throw‑in’? lol”

It’s a fair question. Kuzma is a versatile forward who can do a bunch of stuff on the court. But his time in Milwaukee hasn’t been all that smooth. His shooting numbers have dipped, and he hasn’t exactly turned into the elite defender some hoped he’d become when the Bucks traded for him. That’s made him an easy target for jokes and a convenient piece to toss into speculative trade packages for Antetokounmpo.

Look, the whole NBA has been waiting for the other shoe to drop on Giannis. The draft is Tuesday, and rumors are flying that the Bucks could finally pull the trigger on a deal. Boston and Miami have emerged as the two most serious suitors, according to multiple reports, but nobody’s holding their breath until something actually happens. We’ve been down this road before.

If Giannis does get moved, Kuzma could absolutely be part of the package heading out the door. But calling him a throw-in undersells what he is. He’s a guy who can start for a lot of teams, score 15-20 points on a given night, and guard multiple positions. Is he a star? No. But he’s not some random salary filler either.

The truth is, any deal for Antetokounmpo will be built around him. He’s still a top-five player when healthy, though that “when healthy” part has become a bigger caveat the last couple of seasons. If the Bucks finally decide to blow it up, they’ll be looking at a full-on rebuild for the first time in more than a decade. That means young players, picks, and cap flexibility. Kuzma might not be the centerpiece of that return, but he’s not a throwaway either.

Kuzma knows his value. Whether the rest of the league sees it the same way? That’s another question. But he’s not going to sit quietly while people act like he’s just a warm body in a trade. And honestly, he shouldn’t have to.