Bucks Hope Weakened Eastern Conference, Doc Rivers Helps Convince Giannis Antetokounmpo To Stay

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Milwaukee Bucks are attempting to construct a case to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to remain with the franchise by reminding him that the Eastern Conference is in flux and fairly wide open. The Boston Celtics will likely have a down season of their own in 25-26 with Jayson Tatum rehabilitating his Achilles, while the Cleveland Cavaliers were a playoff disappointment after their excellent regular season.

The Bucks want to sell Antetokounmpo on a gap year that enable the team to rebuild the roster around him. The Bucks also hope the presence of Doc Rivers as head coach provides a boost. Antetokounmpo and Rivers are believed to have a strong working relationship. The Bucks fired Adrian Griffin and hired Rivers away from ESPN in January 2024.

Antetokounmpo's mindset is unknown at this time even as he remains active answers fans' questions on social media. Antetokounmpo has not formally pushed to be traded by the Bucks.

Rival teams are quietly working on trade pitches should Antetokounmpo eventually become available. Antetokounmpo would likely provide the Bucks a preferred trade list if he does decide he is ready to move on.

Via Marc Stein/The Stein Line

[TMac Culloch]

This is the worst case I've heard for staying since Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts

[littlerock2277]

This is like one of those toxic relationships a person is in where it’s best for both parties to separate but one the parties just keeps on insisting to keeping trying.

[Fairview4Life]

Other Eastern Conference Teams Hope Weakened Eastern Conference, Doc Rivers Helps Convince Giannis Antetokounmpo To Ask for Trade

[23artest23]

This has to be the most piss poor reasoning one could cook up If that is what the Bucks are bringing to the table, it's hard to see him staying.

[MitchB3]

Glen Rivers is probably the reason he wants to leave.

[NUMBERICA]

How in the hell is Doc Rivers still there?

[Roy T]

This is like one of those toxic relationships a person is in where it’s best for both parties to separate but one the parties just keeps on insisting to keeping trying.

Whats toxic about this situation?

They got some bad luck and have to decide whats best for everybody. Thats a cordial decision that finna happen.

[chilluminati]

Wow, what terrible bargaining chips lol.

[CaHgO]

What a load of crаp. Doc friggin Rivers is your hand?! It sounds truly pathetic. Even if we ignore this, I really don't think it's a "weakened" Eastern Conference. Cavs will be just as good, at least for the regular season that is. We all see what the Pacers and Knicks are doing. Detroit will only get better. Phily will probably be back in the mix in some form as I just can't imagine having a worse season than this year. Magic will probably do a roster upgrade, and even without one are still a playoff/play-in team, same goes for Miami. Heck, even the Bulls, Raptors and Hawks might be better than the current Bucks roster without Dame - at the very least they are a lot younger.

Even if Giannis has a humongous season again next year, they still can't add anyone meaningful, Dame is out, and all their super old players are even older. And don't forget they are coached by Doc f-in Rivers. I think they would be very lucky to get to the play-in, and that would require a Herculean effort by Giannis, so the most realistic outcome is they are out of the playoff/play-in picture entirely.

[TheCage4]

This has to be a joke...right?

[JKiddy]

Maybe they can get Danny Granger?

[JKiddy]

This has to be a joke...right?

Yes, this is just a way for MIL's FO to spin before the release of new information or the trade before, at the draft, or right before FA begins.

This is very common practice.

[Hans1984]

So he needs a weakened conference to succeed ?

[Spicy P]

The Bucks will be one of those weakened too with no Lillard and potentially losing some of their players to free agency. Having Kyle Kuzma as your sidekick is not really enticing.