Doc Rivers explains lead-up to Giannis Antetokounmpo’ Bucks exit: ‘Didn’t want to be the bad guy’

Detailed summary

Doc Rivers didn’t hold back when discussing Giannis Antetokounmpo.

On an episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast” this week, Rivers divulged how Antetokounmpo handled his final season with the Bucks before an offseason trade to the Heat, saying the 10-time All-Star wanted to leave without formally requesting a trade.

“Giannis wanted out, but he was a Buck. And he didn’t want to be the bad guy,” Rivers said. “He wanted [general manager Jon Horst and owner Wes Edens] and those guys to say, ‘We’re trading you,’ instead of him asking for a trade. To me, that was the game that was being played.”

Antetokounmpo was traded to Miami during the offseason in a blockbuster deal that sent Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis and draft capital to Milwaukee, including multiple first-round picks.

Rivers also explained why he found it “not easy” to coach Antetokounmpo, whom he was with on the Bucks from 2024 until Rivers resigned earlier this year.

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