One of the biggest storylines of the NBA offseason will be the future of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Even though the NBA Playoffs are still going on, there is a great deal of conjecture around the league regarding whether or not the two-time league MVP wants to remain in Milwaukee following the Bucks’ third consecutive first round exit.
This past season, Giannis averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game while shooting 60.4% of the field. It was his second straight season of averaging over 30 points while maintaining a 60% shooting percentage. No player in NBA history has done it once.
Obviously, this only furthers the notion that, should he request a trade, there would be a long line of teams bidding for Giannis’ services.
The Milwaukee Bucks Are Hopeful Having Doc Rivers as Head Coach Will Help Convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to Stay
Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Mar 26, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Just as obvious as that there would be numerous teams willing to trade for Giannis, the Bucks are going to do everything within their power to convince him to stay. Depending on the star’s own thoughts, which are not known to anyone in the media, regardless of what they might say, this could either prove to be a difficult task or one that does not require much convincing.
The loss of Damian Lillard to a torn Achilles for all of next season complicates things, and with Giannis’ own supermax contract taking up a large percentage of the team’s salary cap, they do not have much money or cap space to go out and sign top-tier free agents.
As such, NBA insider Marc Stein reports that Milwaukee is hopeful that keeping Doc Rivers employed as head coach will be enough to convince the nine-time All-Star to stay put:
“The Bucks are also hoping that the presence of Doc Rivers as coach can provide some sort of boost. Antetokounmpo and Rivers are believed to have a strong working relationship…,”
In one-and-a-half seasons as the Bucks head coach, Rivers is 65-53 and Milwaukee has been eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs each year. However, it appears that Giannis has a great deal of respect for Rivers, despite what many fans think of him.
Milwaukee Bucks Fans Are Not Happy that Giannis Antetokounmpo Would Want Doc Rivers to Stay on Board
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and coach Doc Rivers react
Jan 25, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and coach Doc Rivers react against the LA Clippers in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Obviously, the majority of Bucks fans want to see the greatest player in the history of their franchise choose to stay instead of requesting a trade. However, they are not thrilled that keeping Rivers on as head coach would be a factor in that decision:
we’re doomed https://t.co/6twDRjOV1e
— Bucks Lead (@BucksLead) May 26, 2025
Doc Rivers is the most overrated coach in NBA history. https://t.co/nUnIw2DzSE
— Matt (@HartsWorld) May 26, 2025
Pretty much confirms that GA likes him. And also my reporting from WEEKS ago that barring major changes to the roster. Doc Rivers is 100% safe. https://t.co/KU8iYgjvtw
— Trey Crosby III Guru (@TCIIIESQ) May 26, 2025
April Fools is over with. This can’t be true.#FearTheDeer🦌#NBA🏀 #NBAx https://t.co/XZqqyjkQ8E
— Rip (@RipInWisconsin) May 26, 2025
Giannis is entering the first year of the new supermax extension that he signed after the Bucks first traded for Lillard. Milwaukee does not have a very wide-open window as the third year of his contract is a player option. Rivers will need to prove to Giannis, and Bucks fans, that he can lead the team to another title within the next two seasons, of the Greek Freak may indeed start looking elsewhere.
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