With Shams Charania posting the news of Khris Middleton being traded to the Wizards, the end of an era was marked in Milwaukee. “My brotherhood with Khris (Middleton) is the most important thing I’ve had within this team for a lot of years,” — Giannis Antetokounmpo made sure everyone knew how he felt about the trade. The same trade that somehow managed to slip under the rugs amid the high-profile jersey switching before the Feb 6 deadline. But its impact was not in the realm of the bantamweights.

Khris Middleton left the team hotel in Charlotte in silence on Feb 5. No, he didn’t even say goodbye to his partner of 12 years, Giannis. “My thing was, let’s just disappear,” Middleton recently told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He quietly disappeared and finally talked about what went through his mind during the three-and-a-half-hour silent drive from Charlotte to California on the fateful day.

Tonight Khris will face his beloved Bucks for the first time since his trade. He left without a goodbye that day, but how would he hide from the gazes of his former teammate? Or from his forever bro, Giannis? Probably Khris’ denial and resentment will help him with that.

“I mean, you go through a lot,” Khris said as the screeching sound of shoes and the thuds of basketballs continued in the background. “You go through for sure, why the f— are they trading me? Of course. Then you go through damn! They really traded me.” Denial. Sadness. A silence took over as Khris stopped talking amidst the chaotic practice. Middleton only played 23 games this season for the Bucks before being moved to Washington. His ankle surgery recovery also meant a significant minute reduction, and that’s exactly what happened after his return to the court in December.

“You can’t take it personal,” Middleton further added. “They had to do what’s best for them and the organization, and now I have to figure out how to do what’s best for me in this situation.” Ultimately, it’s about happiness no matter where you are and that’s exactly what Khris feels. While Khris is looking for happiness in his new surroundings, back in Milwaukee, Giannis is going through all sorts of emotions.

Giannis opens up about the emotional toll after Khris Middleton’s trade

Giannis finally returned to the court on Thursday after missing 6 games through injury. Things are quite different from the last time he took the court before yesterday. Khris Middleton was still on the bench with him. Against the Clippers, when he was making all the goofy faces, there was no Middleton beside him to share a laugh. He was ready for it, however, as his words indicated in pre-game media availability.

“I don’t know if anybody in the organization got as much emotional as I did,” Giannis said to the media. While occasionally alternating between running his fingers over his black t-shirt featuring 3 Mikes (Jackson, Jordan, Tyson) and covering his face, he kept speaking. “It was definitely kind of hard, but as I’ve said since day one, I’m still going to show up and do my job.”

As the leader of the Bucks, Giannis pledged that he’d keep showing up and be evaluated as a professional. Not only that, the 30-year-old also admitted that he’s not going to leave Milwaukee unless the organization decides it, just like what happened in the case of his friend, Khris Middleton. With Bobby Portis banned for 24 more games, it’s up to Giannis to hold the fort alongside Damian Lillard and Kuzma. And so he will, no matter how much the trade speculations buzz around like an unwanted insect.