In the middle of their championship-winning dynasty, the Golden State Warriors redefined basketball with their iconic "Death Lineup"—a small-ball configuration that maximized speed, spacing and switchability that became nearly unstoppable in the playoffs.
The rest of the association simply had no answer for the two-way dominance that came with trotting out a lineup of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green. No non-shooters, non-defenders and non-playmakers.
The Milwaukee Bucks might have stumbled upon their own version of the vaunted death lineup, thanks to the return of Khris Middleton.
Picture this: Damian Lillard at point guard with his three-level excellence and defense-bending shooting range, Andre Jackson Jr. as the do-it-all defensive disruptor and tertiary ball-handler, Khris Middleton providing veteran scoring and playmaking, Taurean Prince as a 3-and-D ace with switchability and Giannis Antetokounmpo as the anchor at center.
This five-man unit has all the makings of a Bucks "Death Lineup." It’s switchable, balanced and built for playoff-level intensity.
Milwaukee now has the personnel to roll out a "Death Lineup" of its own
Offensively, the lineup has firepower from all angles.
Lillard’s deep shooting range stretches defenses in much the same way that Stephen Curry's did back then, while Middleton’s midrange mastery and secondary playmaking ensure the ball keeps zipping around. Giannis, operating as a roll man or point-center, creates mismatches every time down the court, and Taurean Prince’s 56.6 percent shooting clip from beyond the arc this season keeps defenses honest while being a stout defender in his own right.
Defensively, this lineup is just as potent. Giannis’ ability to guard all five positions provides an anchor, while Andre Jackson Jr. brings energy and versatility, often guarding the other team’s best perimeter player. Middleton and Prince, meanwhile, add size and smart positional defense, rounding out a unit that can handle pick-and-rolls, close out on shooters and switch without hesitation.
What makes this lineup truly dangerous is its balance.
Unlike the Warriors’ Death Lineup, which sometimes leaned heavily on its offensive output to overwhelm opponents, the Bucks' version has the potential to thrive on both ends of the floor. This lineup can grind out defensive stops and immediately turn them into transition opportunities, where Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are devastating.
Perhaps one of the more underrated cogs of the famed Death Lineup was its super-sub in the ever-dependable Shaun Livingston. He could pass, defend and score when needed, and now, Doc Rivers has that same kind of talent waiting on the bench in Gary Trent Jr. and even AJ Green.
Ultimately, Middleton’s return is the catalyst for this lineup. Slotting him back into the starting lineup only adds to the depth of this Milwaukee Bucks team. His ability to blend seamlessly into a high-usage offensive role or step back and let others shine provides the glue that holds it together.
Without him, the Milwaukee Bucks lacked a true secondary creator and a dependable wing scorer. Now, they have someone who can make the lineup as dynamic as it is reliable. Having a third playmaker is nothing short of a luxury in this league, especially for someone who has had years to build up genuine chemistry with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Doc Rivers might not deploy this configuration often in the regular season, but come playoff time, it could be Milwaukee’s secret weapon. If this lineup delivers on its promise, the Bucks will have something they’ve lacked in previous seasons: a closing group that can adapt to any challenge and dominate on both ends of the floor.
With Khris Middleton now healthy, the Bucks’ championship aspirations just got a lot more real.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis going forward.