Bucks' Khris Middleton: Slated to miss six months with torn hamstring

Middleton suffered a torn left hamstring in a preseason workout and is expected to undergo surgery that will sideline him for six months.

Analysis:

Before training camp has even commenced, the Bucks' offensive attack has taken a major hit with the loss of Middleton, who led the team with 18.2 points per game and 143 three-pointers a season ago. Outside shooting was already a major weakness for the Bucks, but that team-wide deficiency could prove even more glaring while Middleton is sidelined. The swingman is expected to undergo surgery next week and will then start the long road to recovery, with his recovery timetable likely to keep him out through at least late March, if not the whole regular season. With Middleton out of the mix, the Bucks may be forced to scale back their plans of using Giannis Antetokounmpo primarily as a point guard, as the team now has a gaping hole on the wing. While Antetokounmpo may end up assuming some of Middleton's duties at shooting guard or small forward, it's likely that complementary players like Matthew Dellavedova, Michael Carter-Williams, Mirza Teletovic, Jason Terry and Malcolm Brogdon will collectively cover the bulk of Middleton's minutes. It remains to be seen, however, which of those players might enter the starting lineup in Middleton's stead. Additionally, look for the Bucks to explore bolstering their depth on the wing through a trade or the thinning free-agent market.