Is Giannis still willing to stay with the Bucks? He responds: Changing my mind after six or seven months is understandable.

On October 9th Beijing time, Bucks star Giannis and coach Rivers were interviewed by team reporter Naim, responding to a previous ESPN article by Shams. That article stated Giannis wanted to play only for the Knicks besides the Bucks and raised doubts about the Bucks’ ability to win a championship.

When questioned about the ESPN report, Giannis said he hadn’t read it. However, he shared his thoughts on the trade rumors surrounding him over the past few months and even years.

“I’ve said many times that I want to be in a winning environment, and right now, I am in one,” Giannis said. “I trust this team and my teammates. I came here to lead this team as far as possible, and the journey will definitely be tough. We will take it step by step, but I will stay here. So, all those irrelevant things don’t matter. I think I’ve communicated with my teammates and the people I respect and care about. As long as I step on the court, enter the gym, and wear this jersey, nothing else matters. I will focus on everything in front of me.”

Though Giannis expressed confidence in the Bucks’ restructured roster and clearly stated he is not looking to switch teams right now, he did not promise to stay in Milwaukee long term.

“If I change my mind six or seven months from now, I think that’s perfectly natural,” he continued, “Everyone has the right to make whatever decisions they want. But right now, I’m focused — focused on this team, these teammates, this organization, the coaching staff, and myself.”

Bucks head coach Rivers was also asked about the ESPN report, and he downplayed the matter, saying the discussions between the Bucks and Knicks mentioned in the report were just one conversation initiated by New York, which ultimately led nowhere.

“I’ve been coaching for 26 or 27 years, and one thing I know for sure is that all 30 teams talk to each other, right?” Rivers said. “Like, ‘Hey, would you trade Chris Paul?’ Then you say ‘No.’ That’s not an official negotiation, right? I saw the report saying ‘multiple talks,’ but that never happened. It was just one team (the Knicks) reaching out, and (Bucks GM) Horst has been saying no for 11 years. I don’t know why this is news now, but that’s basically the truth.”

“...I can tell you Horst has never initiated contact with any team about trading Giannis. That has never happened. Unless that changes, this isn’t really news.”

Giannis currently has two guaranteed years left on his max contract, with a player option for the 2027-28 season. Rumors about his future have intensified recently, partly because the Bucks have been eliminated in the first playoff round in the past two seasons and just endured their worst regular season since 2017-18.

Individually, Giannis continues to perform at an MVP level. Last season, he played 67 games, averaging 34.2 minutes, 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game, with an impressive shooting percentage of 60.1%.