Doc Rivers Says Giannis Antetokounmpo Was ‘Yo-Yoing’ On Trade Request From Bucks

Former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers revealed on "The Bill Simmons Podcast" that Giannis Antetokounmpo was "yo-yoing" regarding his departure from the team. Rivers claimed that Antetokounmpo wanted out but avoided publicly demanding a trade because he did not want to be viewed as the bad guy. Instead, Antetokounmpo reportedly preferred Bucks general manager Jon Horst and owner Wes Edens to initiate the move.

Antetokounmpo was eventually traded to the Miami Heat alongside Bobby Portis in a major package that included Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and draft picks. Rivers, who joined NBC as an analyst after leaving Milwaukee, also discussed Antetokounmpo's leadership and noted that the forward's aggressive, downhill playing style presented a unique challenge to coach.