According to ESPN, Middleton, the NBA Bucks' champion, expressed his gratitude to Milwaukee fans through social media on the 15th after being traded to the Wizards.

Middleton

Middleton wrote in a social media post on the 15th: "From the moment I stepped into the city, you accepted me wholeheartedly, and we went through a rebuilding period together, watched the team rise to a championship, and finally completed the unforgettable journey of the 2021 NBA championship together." Those crucial shots, comeback wins, and most importantly, bringing the O'Brien Gold Cup back to Milwaukee, ending the 50-year wait. ”

"Thanks to the Bucks' trust, nurturing and support, I have had the opportunity to grow from trading chips to an All-Star and an NBA champion." Middleton wrote, "For the Milwaukee neighborhood, this city has become my home. The relationships we've built together, the community initiatives we've driven, and the countless memories we've had on and off the pitch over the years will forever remain in my heart. ”

Middleton concludes by saying, "As I embark on a new chapter, I'm looking forward to the future. But Milwaukee will always be in my heart. It's not a goodbye, it's a thanksgiving. ”

Middleton was sent to the Wizards at the trade deadline this season along with AJ Johnson and a draft swap, while the Wizards sent Kuzma, Baldwin Jr. and a second-round draft pick to compensate. In addition, the Bucks also sent veteran guard Wright and cash in exchange for Knicks' 26-year-old center Simms.

Bucks general manager Horst admitted in a recent interview that trading Middleton was one of the toughest decisions of his management career: "It's probably the toughest trade I've ever made on an individual level, from a team lineup, culturally and even from a community perspective. ”

The 33-year-old Middleton has played for the Bucks for 11 seasons and set a number of team records. It made 1,382 three-pointers, the first in team history; Played 735 games and accumulated 23,039 minutes, second only to his teammate "Brother Alphabet"Antetokounmpo。 With a total of 12,586 points and 2,990 assists, it ranks third in team history.

However, injuries have affected Middleton's appearances over the past two seasons. In the 2022-23 season, Middleton played in just 33 games, and in the 2023-24 season, he played 55 games. This season, due to ankle surgery, he did not make his season debut until December 7 last year. Middleton played 11 seasons with the Bucks, averaging 31.3 minutes per game, averaging 17.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 46.1% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range