According to Siegel’s report, Antetokounmpo approved of the Middleton-Kuzma trade, but sources suggest it was not a move he expected the team to actually make. The two-time MVP shared a close relationship with Middleton, whom many around the NBA described as “family” to Giannis. That personal connection played a significant role in his reaction.

In the first round of these playoffs, the Bucks and the Pacers are two teams that don't like each other. There has been some hatred that has been festering between these two since last year. Several incidents over the last couple of years have shown that.