Kel’el Ware’s bench role became the story out of Milwaukee on Sunday after the Bucks center did not start against the Charlotte Hornets, with Kyle Kuzma getting the nod in his place. The change comes just four days after Ware posted a double-double in a Milwaukee win, raising questions about where he fits in the team’s rotation heading into the regular season.
The Main Development
Ware came off the bench Sunday against Charlotte, according to CBS Sports. Kuzma started in his spot for the Bucks. The move represents a shift from Milwaukee’s lineup just days earlier, when Ware was in the starting five.
On Wednesday, Ware started against the Oklahoma City Thunder and delivered one of his better preseason outings, finishing with 18 points and 12 rebounds in a 128-126 Milwaukee win. That performance makes Sunday’s benching notable by comparison, though the sources do not specify whether the decision reflected a matchup choice, a planned rotation experiment or something else.
What It Means
The sources do not say why Milwaukee moved Ware to the bench for this particular game. What is clear is that the change happened during preseason, a period teams typically use to test different lineup combinations before the regular-season rotation is set. Kuzma’s insertion into the starting group gives Milwaukee a look at how its top unit functions with him on the floor instead of Ware.
No source indicates whether this is a one-game adjustment or a sign of how Milwaukee plans to open the regular season. Ware’s role going forward remains unclear based on the available facts.
Context: Roster Moves At Center
Milwaukee’s frontcourt picture shifted earlier this month when the team signed Johni Broome on Oct. 6 and waived John Butler Jr., according to NBA.com. Broome, listed at 6-foot-10 and 235 pounds, was originally the 76ers’ 35th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Broome appeared in 11 games as a rookie in Philadelphia last season, totaling 10 points and 16 rebounds across 55 minutes. He produced far more extensively in the G League, averaging 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals over 32.9 minutes per game with the Delaware Blue Coats while shooting 46.7% from the field. The sources do not connect Broome’s addition directly to Sunday’s lineup change involving Ware.
What’s Next
Milwaukee’s preseason schedule continues as the Bucks finalize their rotation before the regular season begins. No further details on Ware’s role, Kuzma’s starting status or Broome’s position on the depth chart are available in the current reporting.
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