Coach Denies Giannis Trade Request Rumors
Doc Rivers has emphatically denied rumors suggesting that star player Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking to leave the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks’ head coach spoke on the matter amidst speculation ahead of their game against the Pistons on Wednesday night.
“I want to be crystal clear: there has been no discussion,” Rivers told reporters. “To reiterate, this isn’t about just one network—this has been discussed over and over. Giannis has never asked for a trade. Absolutely not. I’m being as clear as I can be.”
The “one network” Rivers referenced is ESPN. Antetokounmpo’s agent has reportedly had discussions with the Bucks regarding his future, weighing the pros and cons of remaining with the team versus moving elsewhere.
According to the report, a decision on this matter could come within the next few weeks.
There’s certainly uncertainty surrounding Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks. He has shown interest in potentially joining the New York Knicks during the offseason, which gave New York a unique opportunity to negotiate for several weeks in August.
It’s not just the Knicks, either; other teams are keeping a close eye on the NBA champion, considering him a viable trade option, if that becomes feasible.
A few weeks ago, the possibility of a trade was brought up when the Bucks visited Madison Square Garden. Antetokounmpo seemed to downplay the discussions at that time, stating, “I don’t recall that.” He emphasized his focus on the current team, especially after a recent win against the Knicks, adding, “What matters now is the game we’ve got coming up… we need to score well and try to win again.”
While Antetokounmpo tries to distance himself from trade rumors, he mentioned that he prefers to focus on contributing to the team rather than getting caught up in speculations, saying, “This isn’t something I think much about. My priority is helping the team succeed.”
So far this season, the Bucks started strong with a 4-1 record, but they’ve encountered difficulties lately, having lost eight of their last nine games, currently standing at 9-13.
