An injury to star Milwaukee guard Khris Middleton could mean it's time for Bucks recruit Matthew Dellavedova to again step into an NBA starting role.
Middleton tore his hamstring in a pre-camp workout earlier this week and will miss the majority of the season.
"We're obviously disappointed for Khris and our team, but injuries are an unfortunate part of the game," Bucks general manager John Hammond said in a statement.
"We'll rely on our overall roster depth to help us while Khris is out for a significant period of the season."
While surgery for the star 25-year-old is a major blow for the Bucks, it could be good news for Dellevadova, who looms as a potential replacement in his new team, which he joined in July after three years and an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He isn't an all-around player like Middleton but has proved himself more than capable of handling starting duties in his time at Cleveland, especially on defence.
Dellavedova is also statistically more efficient in dishing out assists, averaging 3.4 a game compared with Middleton's 2.7, and the prospect of him joining Giannis Antetokounmpo on alley-oops is one that could get Bucks fans excited.
The Australian could potentially partner with Michael Carter-Williams in the Milwaukee back-court, with his shooting from behind the arc likely to be his other big contribution.
