Assuming Khris Middleton can return relatively soon, the Milwaukee Bucks could contend with the reigning champion Boston Celtics at the top of the Eastern Conference.
The dynamism that is provided when Giannis Antetokounmpo is surrounded by four high-level shooters is unmatched league-wide.
The Ringer's Michael Pina recently made a bold prediction about Milwaukee's starting five, writing, "There were 82 [four-man units] that logged 500 or more minutes last year. The one with the highest net rating? Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, and Khris Middleton. Milwaukee outscored opponents by a whopping 16.6 points per 100 possessions in the 677 minutes that quartet played together."
With the offseason signing of Gary Trent Jr., defenses will have to respect the shooting of all four of Antetokounmpo's floor-spacers. This will lead to open looks from deep as defenders scramble to recover from collapsing on Antetokounmpo drives. Assuming health, Pina predicts, "The Bucks will be a lawn mower when their starters are on the floor."
The ability to maintain efficiency while shooting at high volume behind the arc is a common characteristic shared by Lillard, Middleton, Trent, and Lopez. On their careers, Lillard shoots 37.1 percent on 8.4 attempts per game, Middleton shoots 38.8 percent on 4.8 attempts per game, Trent Jr. shoots 38.6 percent on 6.3 attempts per game, while stretch five Lopez converts on 34.9 percent of his threes on 2.6 attempts per game.
Upon Middleton's arrival, the Bucks should leapfrog the New York Knicks as Boston's biggest threat to their Eastern Conference dominance. If this scenario plays out, coach Doc Rivers could enter Coach of the Year discussions.