Troubling times lie ahead for Doc Rivers and the Milwaukee Bucks, a team on the verge of a major overhaul. With little progress this season, the Bucks are now considering trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo more seriously than ever.
Amid the growing uncertainty surrounding their star, the team’s struggles on the court continue, most recently falling 109-99 to the Washington Wizards on the road.
Without the Greek Freak, the flaws in the Bucks’ roster are glaring. They lack promising young talent and don’t have enough veteran presence to steady the team during his injury absence. The situation is made worse by struggles in a key area of the game they need to excel in, especially given how shorthanded they already are.
Doc Rivers on the Bucks loss
Jan 29, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts to a call during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
“Honestly, it was a rock fight. Let’s just keep that real. But the 50-50 game, we got crushed. Before the game, we literally talked about it. We gotta win the rebound war and we can’t foul shooters and tonight, I don’t know how many points – at one point, I think it was 18 points – of fouling shooters and that’s not including the other fouls,” the Bucks head coach remarked via The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.
Doc Rivers, on tonight's game: https://t.co/bVhheEJxF2 pic.twitter.com/0HcACWh7hH
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) January 30, 2026
Parting ways with Antetokounmpo would mark a clear concession for the Bucks. Last offseason, they tried to bolster the roster by bringing in Myles Turner at the expense of Damian Lillard’s contract, but the move ultimately left Milwaukee’s long-term outlook in a worse position.
Apr 3, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks on in the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The Bucks appear to have accepted that building a championship-caliber roster around Giannis while he remains in his prime isn’t feasible, and trading him would be a decision made out of respect and care for the franchise’s greatest player.
Antetokounmpo is expected to miss several weeks while recovering from a calf strain. Following Thursday’s 109-99 loss to the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena, the Bucks fell to 18-28.