“We did it!” that’s what Giannis Antetokounmpo told Khris Middleton seconds after they won the 2021 NBA title for the Milwaukee Bucks.
That title is a culmination of all their hardwork, sweat, and tears as the mainstays of group dating back to the Greek Freak’s rookie year in 2013.
Middleton’s rocky 2024-25 season with the Bucks comes to an end after he was traded to Washington Wizards on Wednesday. The Bucks receive Kyle Kuzma in return.
Antetokounmpo and Middleton went through tough battles together – against opponents, against each other, and against themselves. They became Batman and Robin that lifted Wisconsin from dark basketball times.
This is why Antetokounmpo find it hard to part ways with the man who persevered with him ever since they were still young kids.
“For me, it’s a little bit bigger than business, it’s family,” Antetokounmpo told The Athletic right after the news of the Middleton trade.
“With a guy that I’ve won a championship with — it’s not only that I’ve won, I’ve lost a lot of times with him. I’ve been in a dark place a lot of times with him. I’ve been in the bus going to a lot of pressure situations with him. … That’s what I remember.”
Together, they have 12 All-Stars combined and transformed the Bucks from the worst team in the league in 2014 to a perennial title contender. Middleton will leave the franchise as the first in three point attempts, second in games played, and third in total points.
Everybody will miss Khris Middleton
Other team members are yet to speak about Middleton’s departure as they are still preparing for the Charlotte Hornets game.
Despite that, it is easy for Antetokounmpo how the team feels about their veteran moving away.
“We’re the oldest guys. Not the oldest guys, but (we’ve) been here together for 12 years. There’s been so many moments together. I’ve been around Khris more than I’ve been around my brothers and my family. I’ve had incredible moments on the court with him. … Everybody’s gonna miss him.”
The next time Middleton and the Bucks will meet will be on February 21 when the team goes to Washington.
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