The biggest thing that has stood out in Bucks star's return (and it's potential)

Khris Middleton has given the Bucks in one area that we maybe didn't expect.

Indiana Pacers v Milwaukee Bucks - Game Five
Indiana Pacers v Milwaukee Bucks - Game Five | Stacy Revere/GettyImages

Back-to-back wins have got the Milwaukee Bucks back on track and heading to Las Vegas for the semifinals of the NBA Cup. The return of Khris Middleton has given the team a boost following his ankle surgeries this offseason, giving a team that was on the rise another dynamic as they head into the festive period.

The three-time All-Star returned to action last week in a defeat to the Boston Celtics, where he showed flashes of his brilliance as he slowly found his flow. Sunday, he was integral to the Bucks running out as winners over the Brooklyn Nets. On Tuesday, he had a rough game but was still vital to the Bucks beating the Orlando Magic to progress to Vegas.

Middleton has clearly had a positive impact on the Bucks and adds another player for opposition teams to worry about. What has stood out is his playmaking ability and vision to open up the game, and the potential it has for the Milwaukee Bucks going forward could be huge.

Khris Middleton's facilitating adds another level to the Bucks' offense

Middleton is a career four assists per game player but has shown there is another level to his playmaking by averaging 6.3 assists in his first three games of the season. Of course, this is a small sample size, but with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the league in scoring, Damian Lillard on a heater, especially from deep, and multiple role players hitting threes consistently, Middleton has weapons that he can create opportunities for and it only bodes well for the Milwaukee Bucks.

He came up clutch in the win over the Nets but has struggled with his shooting, hitting just 25 percent of his shots from the field and 28.6 percent from deep.

There is clear rustiness to his shooting, but he will get into a groove with time as he continues playing regularly. However, this may also be what has allowed him to up his facilitating. Having other guys going off and him struggling takes the pressure off him slightly, as he isn't expected to come in and be a 20-point-per-game scorer in the early stages of his return.

With Middleton being able to create for himself and others this alleviates the pressure on Lillard to be the lead ball-handler. Having Middleton come in and playmake alongside Lillard and Giannis is a big problem for opponents, but with the veteran coming off the bench for the time being, it opens up another element for the Bucks with them now having a creator on the bench.

Shooters like AJ Green and a scorer like Gary Trent Jr. thrive without the ball in their hands, not to mention that Bobby Portis has had two strong games that have coincided with Middleton returning and putting him in positions to score rather than Portis trying to create for himself.

This is all while playing just 21 minutes per game, as Doc Rivers doesn't look to rush him back and cause further problems for him later in the season. When he finally finds his way back into the starting lineup, it will really open a world of problems for the opposition. Three legitimate All-Star caliber scorers who can all take turns facilitating is a nightmare to defend against, as you can't switch off on anyone.

Adding Khris Middleton back into the rotation has been a huge boost for the Bucks, but his facilitating could take the team to another level, with multiple guys able to playmake or score on any given night.

Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks news and analysis.

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