While recognizing the NBA's transactional nature, Giannis Antetokounmpo said his 12-year teammate remains his “brother.”

In the Eastern Conference finals against the Atlanta Hawks, Middleton was the one who stepped up with a dazzling shot-making display when Antetokounmpo went down in Game 4 with a left knee injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the series.

So far, the sample size (three games) is small for Kyle Kuzma, who Milwaukee acquired from the Washington Wizards before the NBA trade deadline for Khris Middleton, a three-time All-Star

A major point of discussion prior to the NBA trade deadline last week was whether or not the Bucks were true title contenders given the injury question marks surrounding Khris Middleton, recent postseason injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo,