Bucks rumors: Why Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t push to fire Doc Rivers in 2025 despite knowing he should be

After a turbulent season marred by trade rumors and internal turmoil, the era of Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks is over. While it was tough to see Antetokounmpo go, especially after a 13-year relationship, it probably allowed the Bucks to breathe easier.

Milwaukee traded Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Ke’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 pick in this year’s NBA Draft, which it used on Nate Ament, and future assets.

Many speculated that Antetokounmpo was the next to go after Doc Rivers stepped down as coach. They maintained a tight relationship despite the controversies that hounded the Bucks in recent years, including publicly expressing their mutual support.

Fans were already calling for the firing of Rivers in 2025, particularly after the Bucks suffered another first-round exit in the playoffs. The two-time MVP, however, was reluctant to kick out Rivers, as revealed in a report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jim Owczarski.

“What Antetokounmpo avoided was that he did not believe Doc Rivers could push him, or the team, to the level he aspired. Or that if Rivers were dismissed, it would help convince him to fully buy into a new, upcoming plan for the team,” wrote Owczarski.

“In a way, he felt he had used his influence regarding the decisions on Mike Budenholzer, Adrian Griffin, and Damian Lillard, which he regretted. And Antetokounmpo was keenly aware of how another coach firing might affect his reputation.”

Since winning the title with the Boston Celtics in 2008, Rivers has failed to duplicate the success despite multiple attempts. Still, Antetokounmpo kept the faith.

Faith, however, can only do so much. The Bucks continued to struggle under Rivers this season. Eventually, the cracks widened. Rivers lost his command of the locker room, even reportedly feuding with the veteran players. Immediately after their last game, he was gone.

Antetokounmpo could have prevented the Bucks’ spiral in 2025. But as they say, everything is clearer in hindsight. There is nothing left to do for him, Rivers, and Milwaukee but to move forward.

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