For the first time since 2015-16, an entire decade ago, the Milwaukee Bucks have been eliminated from postseason contention. Not only will they not make the NBA Playoffs, but they won't even have the chance to will their way into it via the Play-In Tournament. It's a grim conclusion to what has been a miserable season of Bucks basketball. Heads should roll, and it should start with Doc Rivers.
The Doc Rivers era has been a disaster
From the beginning, hiring Doc Rivers was a puzzling move. Shockingly firing Adrian Griffin during his first season, the Bucks panicked and went for the biggest name available, hoping that he could steer this ship (despite the ship being 30-13 at the time). Instead, as soon as Rivers took over, it felt like the team got hit by a cannonball and began sinking swiftly.
Over the past two seasons, at least the Milwaukee Bucks were in the playoff hunt. Consecutive first-round losses to the Indiana Pacers were disappointing, but at least they qualified. This year, it never felt like they were a part of the chase. With nine contests to go, the Bucks are 29-44, 11th in the East. As if the past two playoff exits weren't proof enough, this entire year should be enough to ax Rivers.
During his two and a half seasons at the helm, Rivers has accumulated a 94-97 regular season record and a 3-8 playoff record as the lead man of the Milwaukee Bucks. That's just not going to get it done.
Now, to be somewhat fair, Rivers has dealt with various injuries during his time as the coach. Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and an assortment of role players have all battled a brutal injury or two for long stretches. Still, that's not a pass. Even when healthy, this franchise has been hindered by poor decisions too often.
It's time to move on and start fresh after these final nine games.
Bucks need to nail their next coaching hire
Among the reasons the Milwaukee Bucks have nosedived in quality over the last couple of years is how badly they botched their last coaching search. Adrian Griffin wasn't the ideal candidate from the beginning, and the Bucks gave him 43 games to prove himself. They then pryed Rivers from television and hoped he could rekindle some of that Boston Celtics magic from nearly two decades ago.
This summer, given that they fire Rivers or if he decides to go out on his own terms, the Bucks need to cast the widest net possible. Find a coach who can be the leading voice for this team for the next decade or so. Someone who they will trust to lead the organization and not back out on over halfway into their rookie season.
If the Milwaukee Bucks are not having thoughts of parting with Rivers and want to keep him in charge, next season may be over before it even starts. Healthy or not, all of his Bucks teams, but especially in 2025-26, have looked disjointed and disinterested most nights. Look where it led them. This team is in dire need of someone new to rally the troops.
Of course, with Giannis Antetokounmpo's future in town uncertain, Milwaukee's potential coaching search could go many different directions. Any candidate will demand clarity on that ugly situation before they sign the dotted line on a deal. Between Rivers and Antetokounmpo, the Bucks already have their first two major talking points of the NBA offseason.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.