Giannis Antetokounmpo comments on Bucks' Khris Middleton trade

That title is a culmination of all their hard work, sweat and tears as the mainstays dating back to the Greek Freak’s rookie year in 2013.

Middleton’s rocky 2024-25 season with the Bucks came to an end after he was traded to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. The Bucks received 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 its 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-Star appearances and transformed the Bucks from the worst team in the NBA in 2014 to a perennial title contender. Middleton will leave the franchise first in three point attempts, second in games played and third in total points.

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 Feb. 21 when the team travels to Washington.