The Milwaukee Bucks did not start the NBA season as many predicted at the start of the 2024-25 season. While Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are off to a sturdy start individually, the rest of the lineup has yet to achieve consistency in both health and production. Most notably, three-time All-Star Khris Middleton has yet to play a game as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on both ankles.
Middleton’s absence was frustrating for Bucks fans, who were told by head coach Doc Rivers that the team’s all-time leader in three-point shots made would be ready to start the regular season.
When the score is 3-8 (that’s the game currently playing game against the Detroit Pistons has not finished as of this writing), Milwaukee is sorely missing a third option, but there doesn’t appear to be a timetable for his return.
Milwaukee Bucks fans are frustrated with Khris Middleton’s absence
Before the game against Detroit, the Bucks head coach provided some not-so-promising news about Middleton.
“He’s just progressing and getting by,” Rivers said. “I mean, I don’t know what the return date was or if it was one set, so we’re trying to get him healthy so that when he’s ready to play, he’ll be ready to play.
“As I’ve joked a million times, the Doctor is just a nickname. And I really don’t know. I spoke to the medical team and they tell me the same thing. He’s getting there. It’s getting closer. And I’m basically passing on the same things to you.
Fans weren’t thrilled with the update, with many calling for the Bucks to leave the three-time All-Star.
As it turns out, one of the NBA analysts had a similar idea.
NBA analyst encourages Milwaukee Bucks to trade Khris Middleton for Dillon Brooks
In a recent article published on Bleacher ReportTMiddleton was suggested to be traded to Milwaukee and a 2031 first-round draft pick to the Houston Rockets for Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason.
“Milwaukee desperately needs athleticism and perimeter defense, just to name a few things. Brooks and Eason aren’t the most explosive, but they are distracting and disruptive. Ball-handling and the ability to force turnovers go from crippling weaknesses to strengths when they get the hang of it.
“Moving to Middleton is difficult – both emotionally and functionally. The former is important, but cannot be the deciding factor. The Bucks offense will miss Middleton in the playoffs when Damian Lillard may be the only weapon that can break down the defense. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a battering ram with more counterattacks than is often given credit for, but methodical attacks are not his forte.”
The author of the article, Dan Favale, admits that this trade depends on several factors. First and foremost, Middleton needs to be vigorous. Second, Houston would have to agree to a trade.
The Rockets are 7-4 and may not be willing to give up two of their best defensemen for a player who has been injured for most of recent seasons, no matter how good he might be on offense, if he’s right.
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