Doc Rivers Shuts Down Giannis Trade Talk, But Bucks’ Struggles Paint a Tougher Picture
Ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers addressed the swirling trade rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo-and he made his stance clear: Giannis isn’t going anywhere.
“Giannis has said everything we need to hear, that he wants to be a Buck, he loves the city and that’s all I can go by as a coach right now,” Rivers said during ESPN’s NBA Countdown. “Has it been difficult?
Yeah. Your players every day have to hear stuff.
Every single day, about not just their best player, but they’re thrown in the mix as well. My favorite day of the year this year will be the day after the trade deadline.
That’ll be my favorite day. I think everyone will be here.”
That’s as definitive a statement as you’ll get from a coach mid-season. But while Rivers is doing his best to keep the locker room steady, Milwaukee’s recent play is anything but.
Bucks Blown Out in Boston, Season Slipping Away
Giannis missed the game in Boston with a calf injury, and his absence was felt-loudly. The Celtics ran away with a 107-79 win, led by Jaylen Brown’s 30-point performance on 12-of-20 shooting. Brown added 13 rebounds and two assists in a game that showcased just how far apart these two teams are right now.
Milwaukee shot a rough 35% from the field, going just 29-of-82. It was another tough outing in a stretch that’s quickly becoming a trend.
The Bucks have now dropped eight of their last ten and sit at 18-29, good for 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics, meanwhile, continue to surge, now 31-18 and second in the East.
This isn’t just a slump-it’s a freefall. And it’s raising serious questions about where this Bucks team is headed.
Championship Window Closing Fast
Since winning it all in 2021, the Bucks haven’t made it back to the Eastern Conference Finals. And with each passing loss, it’s becoming harder to argue that this core can contend again without a major shake-up.
Giannis is still elite-he was just named to his 10th All-Star Game-but the supporting cast hasn’t held up its end, and the team’s depth has thinned out. The Bucks are caught in that dangerous middle ground: not good enough to contend, not bad enough to rebuild without making bold moves.
Giannis is in the first year of a three-year, $175 million deal. That’s a massive commitment, but it also makes him one of the most valuable trade assets in the league. If Milwaukee were to make him available, the interest would be immediate and intense.
Potential Suitors Would Line Up
Several playoff-caliber teams would jump at the chance to add a player like Antetokounmpo. The Golden State Warriors have reportedly explored scenarios that could involve Draymond Green. The Timberwolves, Heat, and Knicks are also believed to be monitoring the situation closely.
But for now, Rivers is holding the line. He wants to keep his group together, and he’s leaning on Giannis’ commitment to the city and the franchise.
Still, the reality is hard to ignore. Giannis is 31, in his 13th NBA season, and still in his prime. If Milwaukee can’t build a contender around him soon, the question becomes whether it’s fair-to the player or the franchise-to keep pushing forward with the same formula.
What’s Next for Milwaukee?
The trade deadline hits Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
Between now and then, the Bucks’ front office has some soul-searching to do. Do they double down and try to salvage the season?
Or do they entertain offers that could reset the franchise for the future?
Doc Rivers is hoping for stability. Giannis says he wants to stay. But the Bucks’ recent play is telling a different story-one that might require a hard pivot if Milwaukee wants to avoid wasting what’s left of their superstar’s prime.