Giannis Antetokounmpo responds to Bucks Trading Khris Middleton to Wizards

On Wednesday, a chapter in the Milwaukee Bucks story seemed to close.

Bucks, in search of a list upgrade, allegedly traded a package centered around Khris Middleton for Washington Wizards for a package centered around Kyle Kuzma. The deal would end a partnership dating from the 2013-14-when Antetokounmpo season was a rookie and Middleton was in his second year in the league.

Middleton, a three-time all-star, has seen his numbers dip everywhere in 2025. Still, Antetokounmpo was philosophical about the reported departure of his long-time teammate.

“I will miss Khris. Everyone on the team is going to miss Khris,” Antetokounmpo said via Jim Owczarski from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “His leadership. For me, my fraternity with Khris is the most important thing I have had within this team for many years.”

Antetokounmpo and Middleton are immortal in Wisconsin for their games in 2021 after the season as they led Milwaukee to his first NBA title since 1971 (Middleton, whose playoff scoring average tends to hover over his average season scoring average, set 23 , 6 points per game.

“The organization was addicted to us. The city was addicted to us. Our teammates depended on us. I can remember all these moments,” said Antetokounmpo. “We were able to find a way to make things happen and we find a way to win a championship.”