Bucks' next coach suddenly feels clear after latest report

Doc Rivers' time as Milwaukee Bucks head coach may mercifully be nearing its end. According to NBA Marc Stein, that outcome is more likely following Rivers' election to the Hall of Fame, which could paradoxically pave the way for a graceful denouement.

If Rivers is out, who would come in to replace him is the natural next question. Stein has his money on a familiar face (subscription required): former Memphis Grizzlies skipper Taylor Jenkins, a Bucks assistant in 2018-19 under Mike Budenholzer. 

Just about any reasonable candidate would feel like an upgrade at this point, but Jenkins, in particular, profiles as a fitting choice. 

Jenkins is a solid candidate to replace Rivers in Milwaukee

Citing Jenkins' prior ties to the organization, Stein reports that he "has already emerged as a likely prime candidate" in the case of a change at the helm. Jenkins spent only one season in Milwaukee before leaving to take the Grizzlies' job, but he made a name for himself by quickly restoring Memphis to competence. 

In his first stint as a head coach, Jenkins steered the Grizzlies back to the playoffs in his second year, then to consecutive seasons of 50-plus wins. In the 2021-22 postseason, Memphis won its first series since 2015. 

The timing of Jenkins' sudden dismissal a year ago came as a shock. The Grizzlies sat 44-29 at the time of his firing, in the thick of the playoff chase. But success on the court failed to mask the miasmic situation in Memphis last season. Reported friction between Jenkins and players, including star Ja Morant, became an ugly distraction that ultimately cost him his job.

The Bucks have a touchy situation of their own right now, but not because the face of the franchise isn't fully dedicated to his basketball career, which were accusations leveled at Morant due to his persistent issues off the court. 

Conversely, Giannis Antetokounmpo's relentless desire to compete is the core of the conflict in Milwaukee as the team continues to hold him out of games.

Going younger should be key consideration in Bucks' search

All that is to say that Jenkins is unlikely to encounter the same environment that led to his demise in Memphis. No, he isn't the Celtics' Joe Mazzula, the Rockets' Ime Udoka, or Cleveland's Kenny Atkinson, but he capably guided a young, flawed Grizzlies team to a 250-214 record across six seasons. 

That experience could help him manage a youthful Bucks roster that has demonstrated a lack of maturity and focus under Rivers, whose recent positions with the Clippers, 76ers, and even the Bucks last season put him in charge of older teams. 

It goes without saying that Jenkins would be a refreshing change from Rivers. He won the Memphis role for a reason, and he deserves another shot. 

Rivers, on the other hand, has made stops with three different franchises since winning a title in Boston. Each time, he has failed to get star-studded teams past the second round. He's had his chances, and now he has a plaque in Springfield. It's time to move on. 

Before his gigs in Milwaukee and Memphis, Jenkins also spent five seasons as a Hawks assistant, giving him 12 years of experience on an NBA coaching staff. He is still just 41 years old, hungry for a second chance. Rivers is 64 with little left to prove. The contrast is clear.

Surely other candidates will surface if the Bucks announce an official head-coaching search, but considering Jenkins as a top candidate would be far from the worst thing in the world.