The newest Milwaukee Bucks player is beginning to introduce himself to the city.
The Bucks traded for Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma on Wednesday. The deal sees the departure of three-time all-star and the franchise’s third all-time leading scorer Khris Middleton, and rookie AJ Johnson.
Included in the deal from Washington is Patrick Baldwin Jr., who is very familiar with Milwaukee, having played at Sussex Hamilton High School and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. But for Kuzma, not so much.
Kuzma grew up in Michigan and played college basketball at Utah. In addition to the Wizards, he’s played for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning a championship in 2020. The 29-year-old will now call Milwaukee home.
Kuzma mostly reflected on his time in Washington, D.C., in a newsletter Wednesday, but also briefly addressed Bucks fans.
“Bucks Nation, I’ll be back to address you all soon,” Kuzma wrote.
“Can’t wait to hit the court, tap in with the city, and bring y’all behind the scenes every step of the way.
“I want to make this the home of your backstage pass to follow me and the rest of the fellas on our way to a Championship.
“That’s my only goal.
“See you soon Milwaukee.”
In his letter, Kuzma thanks Wizards fans and says he was “figuring out what adulthood really meant” during his time in D.C.
“The pace of this city, quieter than L.A., gave me space to grow, focus, and redefine what mattered most to me,” he wrote.
He also addressed the cutthroat business nature of professional sports as trades can send players to a different part of the country on short notice.
“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from the vets? Don’t take it personal,” Kuzma wrote.
Kuzma ended his letter listing off his interests and it’s apparent that someone will have to fill him in on where to get the best food in Milwaukee. He listed off a steakhouse, sushi spot and café in D.C. that he’s enjoyed recently.
He said he is listening to music superstars Kendrick Lamar and Future lately and is currently reading “Conversations with God” by Neale Donald Walsch.
Kuzma was known for having more of an eccentric fashion sense, wearing outfits to games that caught the attention of many on social media. But he
recently wrote about why he decided to stop doing that and instead appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine. He said he’s into fashion brands Rick Owens and Loro Piana.
The Bucks defeated the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday without any players involved in the trade participating. The Bucks return to action Friday on the road against the Atlanta Hawks.
