Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma offered some cryptic messages on X on June 22, including one post with eight bomb emojis and another teasing a “Major announcement soon,” all in the context of Bucks fans and the NBA waiting to hear what’s next for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
As rumors swirl about a possible trade with either the Miami Heat or Boston Celtics in the final hours before the June 23 NBA Draft, the 30-year-old Kuzma surely piqued the attention of fans.
There was something else, too. Kuzma took exception to another post quoting NBA media personality and self-avowed Celtics fanatic Bill Simmons as saying Kuzma would be included in any trade for Antetokounmpo as a “Giannis tax,” with the intimation that the Bucks would require a trade partner to take Kuzma’s contract off their hands.
“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,” Kuzma responded.
Kuzma has been a polarizing player during his time with the Bucks, acquired during the 2024-25 season as the centerpiece in a deal that sent Bucks legend Khris Middleton to Washington.
Kuzma seemed to embrace a lessened role in 2025-26, shooting by far his best career percentage from the floor (49.2%) and a strong 34.7% from three-point range with 13.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in 26.2 minutes per game.
Still, it would make sense for the Bucks to get younger and find a way to deal Kuzma this offseason if they’re indeed trading Giannis. He has one year remaining on his four-year, $90 million deal that he signed in 2023-24 while playing for the Wizards, an expiring contract that could make for an appealing trade piece.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kyle Kuzma promises ‘major announcement,’ claps back at Bill Simmons
Reporting by JR Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By JR Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
