Doc Rivers dismisses any suggestion that Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has requested a trade from Milwaukee.
The head coach had to address rumors that Antetokounmpo requested a trade ahead of the Bucks’ game against the Pistons on Wednesday night.
“There have been no conversations,” Rivers told reporters. “I want to make it clear, I would say again, but for the 50th time it’s clearly not going to end up with one network. Giannis never asked to be traded. Ever. I can’t make that any clearer.”
The “one network” Rivers was referring to would be ESPN reported that Antetokounmpo and his agent caught up with the Bucks to discuss his future and “discussed whether his best fit would be to stay or move elsewhere.”
The report also states that a resolution is expected in the coming weeks.
Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks is up in the air, and it was reported this offseason that he was interested in being traded to the Knicks and New York was granted an exclusive negotiating window for a period of several weeks in August.
Other teams are believed to be interested in the NBA champion if the opportunity for a trade arises.
A few weeks ago, when Milwaukee was at MSG, a Post reporter first brought up ESPN regarding the summer trade opportunity to the Big Apple. Antetokounmpo said he didn’t “remember” that.
“Right now, I’m here representing my team, and that’s it. We beat the Knicks. So it doesn’t matter,” he said. “What matters now is we have a game in two days… try to stay locked in and get two in a row.
“But I haven’t read that article. I try to stay away from all the rumors, speculation and transactions. I don’t care at all. I try to involve myself and I try to help my team win games.”
The Bucks started the season well, going 4-1, but they are 9-13 and have lost eight of their last nine Wednesday games.
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