Doc Rivers keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo conversations to himself as uncertainty swirls

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers is still communicating with Giannis Antetokounmpo, even as speculation rises about the Greek Freak’s future with the team.The 30-year-old is entering the first year of a three-year, $175 million extension with the Bucks, but following Milwaukee’s third consecutive first-round playoff exit, questions have arisen regarding his long-term commitment to the franchise.“I talk to him all the time,” Rivers told TMZ Sports, but declined to elaborate further on the nature of their discussions.Co-star and starting point guard Damian Lillard tore his Achilles during the Bucks’ first-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers, which clouds the team’s 2025-26 outlook and only adds to the uncerainty surrounding Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee.With Lillard making $54 million next season — like Antetokounmpo is slated to — the Bucks are committing a large portion of their salary cap to someone who is expected to miss all of next season and is also a smaller (6-foot-2), score-first guard who turns 35-years-old in July.The Bucks’ postseason struggles, coupled with an aging roster and limited draft assets, have fueled speculation about potential changes for the 2021 NBA champions.Rivers, who took over as head coach midseason in 2024, has been navigating the challenges of this current moment, though there are questions regarding his tenure if the Bucks do opt to go full rebuild.Antetokounmpo, if made available for trade, is expected to command a healthy amount of league-wide interest, including the Nets.The former two-time NBA MVP averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per game this past season.

The Greek Freak also shot 60% from the field for a full season for the second time in his career, helping to power Milwaukee during a 48-34 season in which they landed the No.5 seed in the Eastern Conference.The Pacers ousted the Bucks in five games....