Doc Rivers: “Giannis has never asked to be traded. Ever.”

The Greek Courier 

Doc Rivers Responds to Report that Giannis Asked to be Traded from the Bucks
Source: Sports Illustrated

Before the Bucks' matchup against the Pistons on Wednesday night, head coach Doc Rivers was asked about Giannis' trade rumors. He provided a firm response: “Giannis has never asked to be traded. Ever. I can’t make that more clear.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks were reportedly engaged in discussions about whether the star forward's best fit is in Milwaukee or another location. This information came from a report on Wednesday by ESPN’s Shams Charania.

That report followed an earlier statement by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who mentioned during a radio interview with ESPN Cleveland 850 that Antetokounmpo has "asked to be traded already."

Antetokounmpo was drafted by the Bucks in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft and has spent over 12 seasons with the team, winning two MVP awards and an NBA championship in 2021. However, Charania noted that he has been “frustrated over the recent losing,” as Milwaukee has a record of just 9–13 at the start of the 2025 season.

Tonight's game is set to take place at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum with an 8:00 p.m. ET tip-off. According to Bucks reporter Scott Grodsky, Giannis is expected to play in the game.

Undoubtedly, Giannis’s comments after the game will provide more insight into his thoughts at this point in the 2025 season..