Kyle Kuzma is about to begin his first full season with the Milwaukee Bucks, and it’ll be a pivotal one.
It’ll also be one of change, in multiple ways.
Etienne Catalan is reporting that Kuzma is switching from No. 18 to No. 0 for the Bucks in the upcoming season.
That number was last worn by Damian Lillard, who was recently waived by the team in a shocking move a few weeks ago.
Kyle Kuzma (@kylekuzma) is switching from No. 18 to No. 0 for the #Bucks. Number last worn by Damian Lillard in 2025. #NBA pic.twitter.com/Se0JS4a7Jg
— Etienne Catalan (@EtienneCatalan) July 29, 2025
Kuzma wore No. 0 back when he was playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, but that number changed to 33 when he was sent to the Washington Wizards.
He then switched to 18 when he came to Milwaukee, but is switching back to 0.
During his first 33 games with the Bucks, Kuzma averaged 14.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 45.5 percent.
Unfortunately for him and the Bucks, those numbers plummeted during the playoffs, and Kuzma put up just 5.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists during the team’s five games in the postseason.
Obviously, Kuzma will have to do a lot better than that in 2025-26.
The Bucks will be turning to Kuzma a lot more often, especially now that Lillard is gone.
If he is going to wear Lillard’s old number, he will have to produce a ton of points for his team.
Kuzma’s career has been filled with up-and-down moments, and inconsistency has been a problem at times.
He will have to work hard to put that behind him because his team is going to be relying on him a lot.
In 2025-26, Kuzma is getting a new jersey number and new responsibilities too.
