Bucks trade idea offloads Kyle Kuzma for $160 million forward

Bucks trade idea offloads Kyle Kuzma for $160 million forward originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Milwaukee Bucks are desperately trying to improve their roster around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been rumored to be on his way out of Milwaukee.

That was evident when they signed former Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner to a four-year $108.9 million contract in free agency, and swallowed $22.5 million in dead money to get rid of Damian Lillard and free up more cap space.

But there are still more moves the Bucks can make to improve their team right now, and Bleacher Report cooked up a trade idea that would move Milwaukee fans' least favorite player, Kyle Kuzma, and acquire a player proven to contribute in the postseason.

Bucks Trade Idea Lands Jerami Grant

BR listed Bucks second-year forward Tyler Smith as their best trade asset, and mocked a deal that would move him in a package for Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant.

"Smith, for the record, maybe can't do anything at this level—he saw 122 NBA minutes as a rookie—but there's at least the idea of him becoming a 6'11" floor-spacer who can handle and dish a bit, too." Wrote Zach Buckley.

"That combo could be just exciting enough for Milwaukee turn the disappointing Kuzma into the overpaid-but-useful-on-a-good-team Grant."

While Smith is far from a proven commodity, his size and length are tantalizing for an NBA team looking for young talent, such as the Blazers.

For the Bucks, landing Grant, who is coming off a solid season where he averaged 14.4 points per game and shot nearly 37% from three-point range, would immediately slide into their starting lineup as a consistent contributor.

Milwaukee needs to make their team competitive around Antetokounmpo to keep him happy, and this trade does just that. Otherwise, they may be stuck with a trade demand in a few months that leaves everyone dissatisfied.