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ESPN Analyst Pins Former NBA Champion's Playoff Struggles on Wizards

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Gerard Angelo Samillano | Last updated Apr 29, 2025 10:44 AM ET

Kyle Kuzma has been having a rough postseason for the Milwaukee Bucks. The former NBA champion was traded there during the trade deadline in exchange for Khris Middleton. Pegged as a win-now move, the former Washington Wizards has struggled to make an impact on his new team as the Bucks face a 3-1 deficit against the Indiana Pacers.

Speaking on ESPN's First Take, former NBA player Kendrick Perkins blamed the Wizards for Kuzma's struggles in the playoffs. Perkins claimed that Kuzma's stay in Washington, one of the worst teams in the league, dulled his abilities.

"Kyle Kuzma, I don't know if it's because he's been playing meaningless basketball for the past two years for the Washington Wizards and he forgot how to play playoff and championship basketball, I was expecting big things from him. I'm not seeing that," Perkins said.

Kuzma, who was an integral part of the Lakers' championship in 2020, was traded to Milwaukee during the trade deadline for Middleton and rookie AJ Johnson. His play in the postseason has been lackluster in the postseason. He notably recorded zeroes in Game 1 against the Pacers. In the three games since, he's averaged eight points per game. While Games 2 and 3 were solid performances for Kuzma (12 and nine points, on efficient shooting), he had a stinker in Game 4, scoring only four points and making one of his six attempts from the field.

During his time with the Wizards, Kuzma averaged 19.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. His final season with the team was tumultuous at best, as the forward averaged 15.2 points per game on 42% shooting from the field prior to the trade.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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