By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With most of the offseason centered on trade rumors regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo, a counter by the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, Doc Rivers, went into the experienced tactician wondering how the Freak can confirm his intentions to remain the leader of the franchise.
“It’s so ridiculous. And you hear all this stuff, but you don’t like it when you hear it because you know it’s not true,” mentioned the 63-year-old coach during an appearance on The Bill Simmons Show on Tuesday, “But still, your players hear it and everybody else hears it.”
Antetokounmpo, 30, recently reiterated his goal to return to the NBA Finals with the Bucks, all but rejecting previous rumors about considering his future in the league and possibly seeking other options to strengthen a bid for a second championship.
“I don’t know how many more times Giannis has to say he wants to be a Buck and he wants to win a title with the Bucks, and it’s so cool to me because it’s not the way it’s done anymore. But with certain guys, I don’t think Steph Curry would ever leave Golden State, ever, and I’m hoping, obviously, Giannis feels the same way. That’s the way he’s been so far, and it’s been great. It’s been awesome,” added Rivers.
The native of Athens has returned to Greece, starting individual workouts to prepare for suiting up for the senior national team coached by Vassilis Spanoulis in the EuroBasket 2025 and from there switch to the team coached by Rivers and the 2025-26 NBA season.