The Milwaukee Bucks made the biggest move in franchise history this offseason, trading legend Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakučionis. Along with draft capital that included the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which Milwaukee used to select Nate Ament, a first-round swap in 2030, first-round picks in 2031 and ’33 and a second-round pick in 2033.

Rumors of a Giannis trade had been swirling for years as the Bucks failed to get out of the first round since 2022 and had three coaching changes in three seasons.

Doc Rivers coached Giannis in what turned out to be both of their final seasons in Milwaukee, and the partnership rarely seemed to be on the same page as Giannis couldn’t stay healthy, and when he was in the lineup, had his worst numbers in a decade.

Speaking with Bill Simmons, Rivers gave his side of Giannis’ exit from Milwaukee.

"Giannis wanted out, but he was a Buck. And he didn't want to be the bad guy. He wanted [GM 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,” said Rivers.

Giannis said throughout the season that he never requested a trade and wanted to remain with the only organization he had ever played for.

The chatter of Giannis being traded grew loudest in the 2025 offseason when the New York Knicks reportedly had an offer on the table that ultimately never got across the finish line. The Bucks had once again lost in the first round, and Damian Lillard was going to miss the entire 2025-26 season with an Achilles injury, putting the Bucks in a tough position.

Talk only grew louder throughout the season as the Bucks struggled, and multiple teams reportedly spoke with Milwaukee during the season and up until the trade deadline about acquiring Giannis.

Ultimately, Milwaukee held onto him until the offseason, when they opted to accept Miami’s package over Boston’s package, which reportedly included Jaylen Brown.

Throughout the season, despite being sidelined for most of it, Giannis continued to express his desire to remain in Milwaukee and return for the year. He played his last game for the organization on March 15, though he reportedly wanted to return before the season ended, but management and the coaches weren’t on the same page as him regarding his injury and ability to play.

After the trade was official, Giannis posted a video message, thanking the city and the team for raising him as a 19-year-old from Greece into an NBA Champion.

Giannis will make his return to Milwaukee on January 28.