NBA Rumors: Bucks May Have 2 Bands Of Brothers Next Season

The Milwaukee Bucks are expected to bounce back next NBA season with a bang, especially since they will still have resident star Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the pack. There are some new faces in the mix and the latest addition could be interesting. This is with reference to the signing of Giannis' brother Thanasis. He will reportedly be signed to a two-year deal fully guaranteed contract worth $3 million.

For those who may not be familiar with Thanasis Antetokounmpo, he is actually the older brother of Giannis. He was the second-round pick of the New York Knicks back in 2014 but played only two games and averaged just three points per outing. The planned signing was first reported by Gaszetta.gr in Greece.

Standing only 6-foot-7, his addition to the team may catch some folks by surprise. They are far from impressive. He has had stints in the G-League and overseas for Panathinaikos B.C. where he averaged just 4.2 points and 1.8 rebounds. He does boast of superb athleticism and jumping ability but somehow those have not shown in the stat sheet. Could it be a move to please Giannis or reward him for all he has done? Until Thanasis can prove to NBA fans why he deserves to be with the Bucks, all that should be up in the air.

He joins a list of new faces that include Robin Lopez and Wes Matthews. George Hill got a new three-year deal while Khris Middleton signed a fresh five-year contract worth $178 million with the Bucks, ESPN reported. Looking at Milwaukee right now, they seem bent on redeeming themselves after falling to the Toronto Raptors in the recent NBA Eastern Conference Final.

Ironically, the Bucks will parade two pairs of brother next season - Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo together with Brook and Robin Lopez. It is a rare instance for any team although it all means nothing if the Bucks cannot replicate what they did last season. There could be more deals in the works for the Bucks unless head coach Mike Budenholzer feels he has the necessary manpower already.

Among the notable players who left the Bucks include is Malcolm Brogdon and Nikola Mirotic. The 2017 NBA Rookie of the Year was acquired by the Indiana Pacers in a sign-and-trade deal worth $85 million for four years. In return, the Bucks got a first-round and second-round picks. Mirotic, on the other hand, opted to play in the EuroLeague for Barcelona.