Plenty of teams will be in pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo if he requests a trade this offseason, but not a lot of them can forge a legitimate offer. One team that had a potentially compelling option was the Dallas Mavericks, who own the first overall pick, the right to draft Cooper Flagg, in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, and one TMZ reporter bluntly asked Doc Rivers what he thought of the idea.
"There's some things I don't even have to answer," Rivers said with a look of displeasure.
Giannis to Dallas likely isn't happening
First and foremost, the Dallas Mavericks have already said that they will not be trading the first overall pick under any circumstances. While it was initially interesting to wonder if it could be on the table for a star of Giannis Antetokounmpo's caliber, Dallas has shut that down immediately, wanting to bring in Flagg as a cornerstone of the franchise.
Without Flagg, who looks like a generational talent in the making, Dallas won't be a suitor in the event that Giannis Antetokounmpo does ask out.
Second, Doc Rivers isn't going to openly talk about any Giannis trade. The Greek Freak hasn't given any indication that he wants out of Milwaukee, so it wouldn't make any sense for the coach to even entertain the thought. Rivers added that he talks to Giannis all the time, so the two have been in communication since the team's early playoff exit and could look to continue their partnership.
Headlines and rumors like this will be the norm for the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason. Reporters, analysts, and everyone in between will be on the hunt for any crumb of Giannis Antetokounmpo news. The reality is that no one will truly know the scoop except everyone involved in the closed-door meeting set to take place between the forward and the franchise soon.
The Milwaukee Bucks will likely have the opportunity to pitch their plan to Giannis Antetokounmpo to convince him to stay. That plan, though it may not involve adding an immediate superstar, should be focused on bringing in more athletes to make this team younger, faster, and more agile, all things that help fuel the final four teams remaining in the NBA Playoffs.
Change is needed in Milwaukee, and only time will tell which route they take to address it. Whatever the case, one thing is for certain: Doc Rivers does not want to hear about any trades involving his star heading to Dallas.
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