Rivers responds to rumors about Giannis: He said he wants to stay with the Bucks, and as the head coach, I can only take that as the basis.

On February 2nd Beijing time, as the trade rumors surrounding Giannis grow stronger, Bucks head coach Rivers is looking forward to the 3 PM local time bell on February 5th. That moment will officially close the NBA trade deadline.

Regarding Giannis's future, Rivers stated, "Giannis has made it very clear what we needed to hear. He wants to stay with the Bucks, and he has a deep affection for this city. As the head coach, that’s all I can rely on right now. Is this period tough? Absolutely. Players are caught up in all kinds of rumors every day, not just about the team’s core but also about themselves being involved in trade talks. Honestly, the day I look forward to the most this year is the day after the trade deadline—that’s my favorite day. I believe by then everyone will remain on the team, and we can all focus on playing without distractions. I’m really looking forward to it."

Insider Shams previously reported, "Giannis is prepared to change teams and is waiting for the trade deadline on February 5th. Several teams have already made significant offers to the Bucks, and Milwaukee has started seriously considering various proposals."

Shams further added, "Sources within the league reveal that from now until the trade deadline, the Bucks have shown an unprecedented level of openness regarding offers involving Giannis. However, these sources also pointed out that the Bucks have made it clear to interested teams: if they cannot receive a high-quality young prospect or enough draft picks, the team is not in a rush to complete a trade before the deadline and would prefer to postpone discussions about Giannis’s future until the offseason."

Giannis is expected to miss several more weeks due to a calf injury. If he is not traded, by the time he recovers and returns, the Bucks might have already lost their chance to make the playoffs.

The team’s long-term vision built around Giannis now appears bleak. Previously, the Bucks used the stretch provision to waive Lillard, which means the team will carry $22.5 million in dead salary cap space annually until the end of the 2029-30 season. Moreover, the team lacks attractive assets to bring in another star player to pair with Giannis and Turner for a championship run.

Giannis has a player option for the 2027-28 season, allowing him to opt out of his $62.7 million contract and enter free agency (if he decides to switch teams, he will likely forgo this option). This situation sets a deadline for the Bucks: either trade Giannis before the deadline or make one last attempt to build a championship roster around him. It’s important to note that the earlier the trade happens, the better the assets the Bucks can demand in return.

All signs indicate that whether before this week’s trade deadline or during the summer, Giannis leaving the team is highly likely. Until the trade is officially completed, the rumors will continue to swirl—undoubtedly causing Rivers considerable headaches.