The Milwaukee Bucks are not off to the start many envisioned when the 2024-25 NBA season began. While Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are off to strong individual starts, the rest of the roster has yet to find consistency in both health and production. Most notably, three-time All-Star Khris Middleton has not played a game yet as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on both of his ankles.
Middleton’s absence has been frustrating for Bucks fans, who were told by head coach Doc Rivers that the franchise’s all-time leader in three-point shots made would be ready for the start of the regular season.
At 3-8 (the game they are currently playing against the Detroit Pistons has not ended as of this writing), Milwaukee is sorely missing their third option, but there does not appear to be a timeline for his return.
Milwaukee Bucks Fans Are Frustrated with the Absence of Khris Middleton
Prior to the game against Detroit, Bucks head coach gave a less-than-promising update on Middleton.
“He’s just progressing and going along,” Rivers said. “I mean, I don’t know what the return date was or that there was one set, so what we’re doing is getting him healthy, so that when he’s ready to play he’s ready to play.
“As I’ve jokingly said a million times, Doc is just a nickname. And I don’t really know. I checked in with the medical team and they tell me the same stuff. He’s getting there. He’s getting closer. And basically, I relay the same stuff to you.”
Fans were less than thrilled with this update, many calling for the Bucks to move on from the three-time All-Star.
As it turns out, one NBA analyst had a similar idea.
NBA Analyst Encourages the Milwaukee Bucks to Trade Khris Middleton for Dillon Brooks
In a recent article posted on Bleacher Report, it was suggested the Milwaukee trade Middleton and their 2031 first round pick to the Houston Rockets for Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason.
“Milwaukee desperately needs athleticism and perimeter defense—to name just a few things. Brooks and Eason are not the most explosive, but they deter and disrupt. Ball containment and the ability to force turnovers go from crippling weaknesses to strengths with them in the fold.
“Moving Middleton is tough—both emotionally and functionally. The former matters, but cannot be a deciding factor. The Bucks offense will miss Middleton come playoff time, when Damian Lillard could be its only weapon equipped to break down set defenses. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a battering ram with more counters than often credited, but methodical attacks are not his forte.”
Dan Favale, who wrote the article, admits that this trade depends on a few factors. First and foremost, Middleton needs to be healthy. Second of all, Houston would need to agree to the trade.
The Rockets are 7-4 and may not be willing to give up two of their best defensive players for a player who has been injured for the majority of the past few seasons, no matter how good he might be offensively when he’s right.
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