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Examining the other parts of the Bucks-Pistons trade

Small forward Khris Middleton and center Viacheslav Kravstov were also part of the package with Brandon Knight that got shipped to Milwaukee for Brandon Jennings.

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Believe it or not, there were players not named Brandon involved in this trade.

The deal also included household names such as Viachelsav Kravstov and Khris Middleton. Oh, they're not? Well, that's what we're here for, I guess.

VIACHESLAV KRAVTSOV

Checking in at 6 foot 11 and 254 lbs., Viacheslav (more commonly referred to as 'Slava') is a big Ukranian body that could serve as a nice little insurance policy, should John Henson or Larry Sanders go down with a long-term injury. This may sound a little redundant, as the Bucks just signed a similar type of player in Miroslav Raduljica.

What Kravstov and Raduljica share in spell check nightmares, they do not share in NBA experience. Kravtsvov actually has logged 25 games already, sporting averages of 3.1 points, and 1.8 rebounds in nine minutes a contest. As of now, he just seems like a body that can exhaust a few fouls, but at only 25 years old, there may be some room for development. Nevertheless, don't expect anything more than a slightly more useful Joel Przybilla-esque role for Kravtsov.

KHRIS MIDDLETON

Middleton was drafted 39th overall in the 2012 Draft out of Texas A&M, and appeared ready to snag some minutes a backup wing position with Detroit before the trade. Now, he may get a slightly larger role.

Carlos Delfino is cool and all, but he's probably not your ideal choice for heavy minutes at the small forward spot. Giannis Antetokounmpo is simply not ready to contribute significantly, so...enter Middleton, right?

A 6'7" forward with a 6'10.75" wingspan, the 21-year-old might have the potential to become a rather nice 3-and-D type, with a little more versatility on offense. MIddleton developed a rep as a guy who could get his own shot while Texas A&M, which he should be able to get off over most small forwards. The question is whether he can find reliability in his stroke from distance, which tailed off during an injury-plagued junior season in 11/12. Take a look for yourself.


As will be customary for this trade, the question of "Why is Detroit willing to part ways with them?" is important. This applies more to Brandon Knight than it does to Kravtsov or Middleton, but it still matters. Neither of these complementary parts is worth holding onto at the expense of getting a starter, but that certainly doesn't mean they are incapable of contributing.

That being said, this doesn't mean that the Bucks are set at this position. Both Delfino and Middleton are best served as backups to someone more polished, but at least this helps put some sand in the divot left by the departure of Mike Funleavy Dunleavy.

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