Kyle Kuzma is set to wear No. 0 for the Milwaukee Bucks next season, the same jersey number most recently worn by Damian Lillard before his dramatic departure. The change marks a symbolic reset for Kuzma, who endured a disappointing stint after arriving midseason in 2024 and now hopes for redemption with a full offseason under his belt. In his latest move, Kuzma launched his YouTube series The Offseason, where he opens up about last year’s struggles and outlines his determination to bounce back: “Coming off a down year or year that you just don’t expect you’re going to have, that next offseason is usually going to be something that is going to be a positive for you.”
The Bucks have already found Damian Lillard’s jersey replacement
With Damian Lillard waived by the Bucks following a torn Achilles in the playoffs, Kuzma could take on a larger role next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. The superstar forward is expected to have increased playmaking responsibilities this season, and without Lillard in the backcourt, the opportunity is there for Kuzma to reclaim form. He averaged just 5.8 points on 34.3% shooting in the first-round loss to Indiana, but he says he’s spent the summer attacking his footwork, jumper, and fundamentals. “It’s really all about hoops right now,” he said in the debut episode. “Just getting back to basics and having a healthy summer, which I really didn’t have last year.”
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Lillard’s brief but headline-grabbing Bucks tenure came to an end after a two-season run that included a 39-point debut, an Emirates NBA Cup title, and a signature “Dame Time” buzzer-beater against Sacramento. But injuries plagued his partnership with Giannis, and his Achilles tear in Game 4 of the playoffs sealed his fate. The Bucks swiftly moved on, signing Myles Turner and letting Lillard walk. His final moment in a Milwaukee uniform was sitting stunned on the court after the injury, emblematic of an era that never lived up to expectations.
Not 51. Not 49. FIFTY. pic.twitter.com/psscOfihAG
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 10, 2025
Now Lillard is back in Portland, where he signed a $45 million deal and was welcomed home by family and fans alike. The veteran guard, who missed mentoring young players while chasing a title with the Bucks, expressed excitement to guide Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. While he’s unlikely to play next season, Lillard insists he’ll come back strong. For Milwaukee, though, it’s a new chapter—and for Kyle Kuzma, a new number marks a second chance.
