Things change! The championship lineup 4 years ago, only 8 people are still in the NBA, and 2 people continue to stay!
7:42am, 6 July 2025Basketball
For the Bucks fans, although the team won the championship in 2021, the team's record in recent years has been disappointing. They not only ended in the first round of the playoffs for three consecutive years, but also encountered a Black Eight Miracle and were eliminated by the Pacers for two consecutive years. Therefore, this summer, the Bucks started crazy signings in order to retain Antetokounmpo and not waste his peak. The result is that only two people left in the team that won the championship four years ago are still on the team, namely Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. And what is even more sad is that there are only 8 champions of that year and are still active in the NBA stage. Let’s take a look at where the other six players who left the Bucks are now and how their performances are!
1. Chris Middleton
This season's data: 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists
Team: The Washington Wizards
The Bucks were able to win the championship that year, which was inseparable from Middleton's help. Antetokounmpo was accidentally injured in the Eastern Conference Finals that year. It was precisely because of Middleton's outstanding performance that he helped the team reach the finals. However, Middleton has been suffering from injuries for a long time in recent years. The team was eventually eliminated by Hacks in the 22-23 season. A large part of the reason is that Middleton was unable to play due to injuries. This season, he averaged only 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Although his overall efficiency is considerable, in order to win the championship, the team still sent the veteran who had played for the team for 12 years to the Wizards, in exchange for Kyle Kuzma. After learning about the transaction, Middleton did not complain, but sincerely wished the team a future and was willing to go to the Wizards as a victim, which also touched all the Bucks fans. Next season, Middleton will usher in his contract year. Although he is only 33 years old, in terms of his current performance, he is likely to be able to get a basic salary. But for him, his career is already perfect. All he needs to do is to ensure health and enjoy the rest of his career. In the future, his No. 22 jersey will definitely hang above the Bucks' home court.
2.Ju Holiday
This season's data: 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals, Team: Portland Trail Blazers
In the 2021 championship journey, Holiday is definitely a key figure. It was him targeted defense of Chris Paul in the third game of the finals, which helped the team usher in a turning point and finally won the championship. After that, Holiday also ushered in the second spring of his career. Not only did he help the Dream Team win gold medals in Tokyo and Paris, but he was also selected into the All-Star lineup again after many years, and was recognized by fans and coaches. However, the Bucks still traded him in 2023, and the Celtics, who had been coveting Holiday for a long time, directly completed the interception, which resulted in the success of the Celtics in the 23-24 season. Holiday also won his second championship ring. Unfortunately, although he still has 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals this season, due to his failed defending his title and being 35 years old, Holiday was traded to the Trail Blazers by the Celtics. For Chinese fans, you can look forward to it next season. As long as you are not traded, Holiday is likely to help Yang Hansen grow, just like Steve Francis did to Yao Ming back then, helping Yang adapt to the NBA.
3. Brooke Lopez
This season's data: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks, Team: The Los Angeles Clippers, As one of the most outstanding space centers in recent years, since winning the championship, Lopez's performance has become more and more outstanding. Even this season, he still has 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks, with shooting and three-point shooting percentages reaching 50.9% and 37.3% respectively. But the helpless thing is that time is not forgiving. Daluo, who is already 37, is indeed difficult to make too much contribution in the playoffs. In the first round with the Pacers this season, he averaged only 5 points and 1.6 rebounds per game, which was completely beaten by Miles Turner. It is precisely because of this that the team's senior management decided to dig Turner to Milwaukee, and Daluo, which conflicted with Turner's position, naturally became a victim. However, although his ability has declined, Daluo still has the ability to provide a guarantee in the regular season stage, so the Clippers also issued a two-year contract of $18 million, successfully obtaining the championship-level center.
4. Dont Divincenzo
This season's data: 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals. Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Although Divincenzo in 2021 failed to follow the team to the playoffs due to an accidental injury at the end of the season, he still got a championship ring. However, in order to prove himself, Divincenzo chose to leave the team, and has had a record of playing for the Kings, Warriors, Knicks and Timberwolves in recent years. Overall, although he has suffered from major injuries, Divincenzo still has the ability. This season, as the main substitute of the Timberwolves, he averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game, and his three-point shooting percentage reached 39.7%, making him one of the best 3D players in the entire league. In addition, this year's Timberwolves were able to reach the Western Conference Finals as sixth in the West for the second consecutive year without the help of Divincenzo. Next season, Divincenzo will still be an indispensable key figure for the Timberwolves. The team can continue its outstanding performance this year, and Divincenzo's form may play a decisive role..
5. Pat Connaughton
This season's data: 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, Team: Charlotte Hornets
Although their personal physical fitness and talent are relatively average, since Connaughton came to the team in the 18-19 season, he has become a key figure in the team's bench. Although in his best season, his average number of 9.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, Connaughton's role is not fully covered by the data, especially in the playoffs, where he is one of the few white players who can not be affected too much and continue his regular season performance. That's why Connaughton was able to get a stable position with the Bucks. But helplessly, Connaughton has been suffering from injuries in recent years. He has only played 41 games this season, and it is also very useful for the playoffs. In addition, he is already 32 years old, so not long ago, he was sent away by the team as a bargaining chip and became a member of the Hornets. Judging from Connaughton's performance this season, it is unlikely that Connaughton will have a chance to stay in the NBA after the contract ends next season.
6. Sam Merrill
This season's data: 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Finally, let's talk about the rookie Merrill that year. Although he did not make any outstanding contributions in the Bucks' rookie season, he was still lucky to follow the team to win the championship. After the end of this season, he left Milwaukee. After all, as an older rookie, he has no talent to dig in and his physical fitness is extremely limited, so the Bucks have no reason to leave him. After that, Merrill had no ball to play, but fortunately he joined the Cavaliers and became an important part of the systems of Bickstaff and Atkinson. Especially this season, Merrill played in 71 games, averaging 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 37.2%, and also had 137 three-point output. Therefore, at the age of 29, he finally gained recognition and recently received a four-year contract renewal worth $38 million, thus getting the opportunity to continue to compete in the NBA.
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