After Wednesday’s practice, Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers spoke out regarding an ESPN report that detailed an offseason meeting between Giannis Antetokounmpo’s representatives and general manager Jon Horst, as well as reported trade discussions the Bucks had with the New York Knicks about the two-time MVP.
When asked how he handles reports like that as a coach, Rivers bluntly said he doesn’t bother with them.
Mar 1, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers speaks to Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
“Another one. It’s unbelievable,” Rivers remarked in his interview with The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.
“I mean, what are you supposed to say? I’ve been coaching 26, 27 years and one thing that I know is that 30 teams call 30 teams, all right. ‘Hey, would you like to trade Chris Paul?’ And you say, ‘No.’ That does not constitute a conversation, all right? You know, I read where it said several conversations, well, that never happened. It was a conversation where a team called, and Jon has been saying no now for 11 years. I don’t know why this is a new story, but I guess it is.”
Asked Doc Rivers about yesterday's report regarding the Bucks and a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade after today's practice: pic.twitter.com/8vgbCAGf6f
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) October 8, 2025
Rivers kept downplaying the report, emphasizing how stories like that can stir unnecessary distractions within a team.
“It’s funny — what’s the old saying? You create the story and then you report on the story you created,” the Bucks coach continued. “And that’s what it feels like. And it gets old for us.
Doc Rivers and Giannis Antetokounmpo
Feb 12, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers draws up a play with forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
When asked how he keeps his players focused amid the constant trade rumors that fill their phones, Rivers responded with complete trust on Giannis.
“I don’t have to because Giannis does that. Everything Giannis says is about the team and being a better team, so I don’t have to do that. Every part of Giannis says that. If you read his comments this summer, every comment he’s made is about being in Milwaukee, loving the city, but for some reason – and it’s funny, what’s the old saying? – you create the story and then you report on the story you created. And that’s what it feels like. And it gets old for us. But at the end of the day, there’s nothing we can do about it, but I can tell you Jon has never called a team about Giannis. That has never happened. And until that happens, you really don’t have a story.”
Feb 6, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers talks to forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the third quarter of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Doc Rivers added that Antetokounmpo will miss Thursday’s preseason clash with the Detroit Pistons after being sidelined early in training camp because of COVID-19. Still, the nine-time All-NBA forward aims to suit up for the team’s final two preseason outings.