Doc Rivers explains lead-up to Giannis Antetokounmpo’ Bucks exit: ‘Didn’t want to be the bad guy’

Doc Rivers didn’t hold back when discussing Giannis Antetokounmpo.

On an episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast” this week, Rivers divulged how Antetokounmpo handled his final season with the Bucks before an offseason trade to the Heat, saying the 10-time All-Star wanted to leave without formally requesting a trade.

“Giannis wanted out, but he was a Buck. And he didn’t want to be the bad guy,” Rivers said. “He wanted [general manager Jon Horst and owner Wes Edens] and those guys to say, ‘We’re trading you,’ instead of him asking for a trade. To me, that was the game that was being played.”

Antetokounmpo was traded to Miami during the offseason in a blockbuster deal that sent Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis and draft capital to Milwaukee, including multiple first-round picks.

Doc Rivers tells Bill Simmons it was so hard for him to coach Giannis Antetokounmpo during his tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks:

“He’s not easy. He plays at this crazy downhill pace. He’s really a difficult guy. He has this great passing ability, but he doesn’t have a super-high…

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) November 6, 2026

Rivers also explained why he found it “not easy” to coach Antetokounmpo, whom he was with on the Bucks from 2024 until Rivers resigned earlier this year.

“He’s not easy. He plays at this crazy downhill pace. He’s really a difficult guy,” Rivers said candidly to Simmons. “He has this great passing ability, but he doesn’t have a super-high IQ at the same time. He really has only one way of playing. Every play, he wants to force it. I wish he’d learned how to execute better.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat are just 3-6 to begin the 2025-26 season. NBAE via Getty Images

Jason Kidd — who led Antetokounmpo and the Bucks from July 2014 until January 2018 — discussed Rivers’ comments on ESPN earlier Friday, and didn’t agree.

“Giannis’ superpower to get downhill and he makes plays,” Kidd said. “Understanding Doc saying that his IQ, I disagree with that. I think Giannis understands how to play the game. His forcefulness getting downhill is what it’s all about. And so when he causes a problem, he’s one of the top five players in the league”

The Heat have struggled to a 3-6 start despite Antetokounmpo averaging 27.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists, although the team won three of four prior to losing to the Warriors on Thursday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Doc Rivers were together with the Milwaukee Bucks from Jan. 2024 through April 2026. Getty Images

Jason Kidd DISAGREES with Doc Rivers on Giannis being difficult to coach:

"I don't. I think when you talk about stars — they are hard to coach but they want to be coached. Giannis superpower is to get downhill and he makes plays. Doc saying that it's his IQ — I disagree with… https://t.co/3Vlbok6tCUpic.twitter.com/eM1f5xaGwE

— The HEAT Realm (@WadexFlash) November 6, 2026

Head coach Erik Spoelstra is still working to integrate Antetokounmpo alongside Bam Adebayo following an offseason that significantly reshaped Miami’s roster, although they are arguably the most disappointing team in the NBA this season.

Through the first nine games, Miami is second in pace but has just the 19th-ranked offense to show for it, and their pace-for-pace’s-sake style of play has contributed to a surprisingly inefficient defense so far, where they rank No. 26 in the NBA.

The Heat return on Sunday against the lowly Kings.