Loss to Celtics another example of why Bucks should trade Giannis Antetokounmpo before deadline

Before their road game against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers provided an update on forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

The coach indicated they don't plan to send Antetokounmpo, 31, elsewhere before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, and he wants to remain in Milwaukee. The forward didn't play against Boston because of a calf injury. 

Doc Rivers provides Giannis Antetokounmpo update amid trade rumors

"Giannis has said everything we need to hear, that he wants to be a Buck, he loves the city and that's all I can go by as a coach right now. Has it been difficult? Yeah," Rivers told ESPN's "NBA Countdown" (h/t Bleacher Report's Timothy Rapp). "Your players every day have to hear stuff. Every single day, about not just their best player, but they're thrown in the mix as well. My favorite day of the year this year will be the day after the trade deadline. That'll be my favorite day. I think everyone will be here."

Perhaps Rivers said that to increase Antetokounmpo's trade value, which is already high. The Bucks clearly wouldn't be a championship contender even if he were healthy. 

Loss to Celtics showed why Bucks must trade Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Celtics crushed the Bucks, 107-79. Boston guard Jaylen Brown scored a game-high 30 points on 12-of-20 shooting from the field. He also had 13 rebounds and two assists. Milwaukee, meanwhile, went 29-of-82 from the field (35%). 

With the loss, Milwaukee's season is continuing to sink. The Bucks (18-29) have gone 2-8 over their past 10 games and are now 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics (31-18) are second in the conference after going 7-3 in their last 10 games.

The championship window of the Bucks — who haven't reached the Eastern Conference Finals since winning their second title during the 2020-21 season — is closing. To rebuild, Milwaukee needs more draft picks. Trading Antetokounmpo, who's in the first year of a three-year, $175.36M contract, would help it acquire more of those. 

Plenty of teams poised to make the playoffs would be interested in Antetokounmpo, who was named to his 10th All-Star Game on Sunday. The Golden State Warriors could reportedly send a package that includes forward Draymond Green. Other potential suitors include the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and New York Knicks. 

Rivers may want to keep his roster intact. Still, it's time for the Bucks to face reality: Antetokounmpo probably isn't going to hoist another Larry O'Brien Trophy in a Milwaukee uniform. So, instead of wasting his prime, the franchise should let the 13-year veteran try to win his second ring elsewhere.