A summer of change is here for the Milwaukee Bucks, with new head coach Taylor Jenkins introduced to the media on Wednesday. One thing is clear: ownership has made its stance on the current era clear. They are still willing to spend big, with both Jenkins and Doc Rivers making $10 million next season.
Ownership willing to spend big to change coach
The Athletic's Sam Amick reported (subscription required) that Jenkins "signed a long-term deal with a salary that is well north of $10 million annually." This will put the new coach amongst some of the highest-earning coaches in the league, displaying a willingness from the ownership to put money on the table to get the Bucks back where they want to be with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the team.
It also shows the faith they have in Jenkins to lead the team forward, that they were willing to give him such a big deal, and moved swiftly to get him before other teams started their coaching searches. Doc Rivers will still be paid his $10 million salary for the 2026-27 season that he was expected to get, per Marc J. Spears.
Milwaukee has made moves like this before with both Mike Budenholzer and Adrian Griffin. The bare minimum hope is that these decisions at least show players, coaches, fans, and executives that there is a level of seriousness in their dealings to achieve the ultimate goal.
This is in stark contrast to the Portland Trail Blazers' search for a new head coach. Tiago Splitter looked ready for the role until reports suggested they were looking to reduce overall spending and that their new chief would, in fact, be paid well below the average coaching salary. Along with plenty of other cost-cutting decisions, including hotels and flights, thankfully, something the Bucks won't have to worry about.
Bucks can spend big but need to do it wisely
We all saw the moves the Bucks pulled off to sign Myles Turner to a big deal and waive and stretch Damian Lillard's contract. That hasn't panned out as of yet and should also serve as a warning that sometimes spending big isn't always the best way to put a winning roster together.
Some of the most successful teams in the current NBA have shown an ability to spend wisely, building out depth to bolster their title aspirations, rather than making big splashes. Building through the draft with players that can still be on their rookie contracts in three to four years has also become a big factor in a team's success.
The second apron will always be looming for teams, and we have seen the Bucks and others struggle to keep their core together after winning a title for financial reasons. Navigating that will be key, and looking to find value, impactful players on the cheap in free agency or via trade is the way forward. You will never get away from stars making a large chunk of the payroll; it is the rest of the salary that matters greatly in the modern NBA.
It is a huge positive that the Bucks' ownership is willing to make big calls and spend money in order to put their team back into playoff contention. It is an exciting stance to have, just needs the right moves to put the Bucks back amongst the NBA's elite teams.
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