Bucks' Doc Rivers Says He Talks to Giannis 'All the Time' amid NBA Trade Rumors

Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks is up in the air heading into the offseason, but the star is still keeping in touch with his head coach.

When asked whether he has kept in touch with Antetokounmpo since Milwaukee's season ended, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said he talks to him "all the time," per TMZ.

Antetokounmpo has been with the Bucks since he was drafted in 2013, but his time with the organization that he led to a championship could come to an end this offseason. While he's under contract through the 2028 season with a player option after the 2027 season, a trade is starting to seem more realistic.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported earlier this month that Antetokounmpo "has not made any firm decisions on his Bucks future," but "is open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere."

Charania also noted that Antetokounmpo's representatives, Giorgios Panou and Alex Saratsis, plan to meet with the Bucks this offseason to talk about his future. It's unclear when that meeting will occur.

Antetokounmpo helped revive the Bucks after years of struggle, but the team has found itself entrenched in a stretch of mediocrity following its title in 2021. Milwaukee has advanced past the first round just one time since its championship and has faced a first-round exit in each of the last three years.

Any team with Antetokounmpo has a chance of competing in the playoffs, but how the Bucks can get back to a championship level is a question mark.

While Milwaukee would likely prefer to continue building around Antetokounmpo, trading him away and building toward the future might be the more sensible choice. A trade could also give Antetokounmpo the chance to get on a team better equipped to compete for a title now, so he can capitalize while in his prime.

For now, Antetokounmpo and Rivers will stay in touch as a crucial offseason approaches.