What happened: Former Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said Giannis Antetokounmpo wanted the franchise to initiate his exit rather than publicly requesting a trade. Speaking on "The Bill Simmons Podcast," Rivers stated that Antetokounmpo sought to avoid being viewed as the bad guy before his departure. Milwaukee traded the forward to the Miami Heat in June.

Why it matters: The comments illuminate the behind-the-scenes dynamics that ended Antetokounmpo's tenure in Milwaukee following months of speculation. The offseason move reshaped both Eastern Conference rosters, though both teams have struggled early in 2026-27. Miami stands at 3-6 through nine games, while Milwaukee has dropped four straight to sit at 1-7.

What to watch: Milwaukee faces the Toronto Raptors on Friday seeking to halt a four-game skid.