Per NBA insider Marc Stein, part of the Milwaukee Bucks' pitch to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo in the city this offseason will be to sell him on the idea of a "gap year." With Damian Lillard injured and likely to miss most of next season, Milwaukee's title chances have already taken a hit, so they may need to use it as a chance to regroup and get ready for 2026-27.
It would also be the perfect time to bring aboard a new head coach, as it would give the new voice an entire year to establish themselves with the franchise without the expectation of title or bust, which could be useful, especially if they are a first-year coach. Yet, Stein's reporting also indicates that the Milwaukee Bucks will likely move forward with Rivers despite back-to-back first-round playoff losses.
A Bucks' gap year would be a good time for a new coach
While it wasn't as grim as this, it felt like the Milwaukee Bucks were in store for a little regression when they hired Adrian Griffin in 2023. As a first-time head coach, there was pressure on him to win, but the franchise seemingly knew it might take him time to find his footing. Then, the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard out of nowhere, putting significant pressure on the shoulders of Griffin to win now.
It was a lot for a first-year head coach, and the Milwaukee Bucks clearly didn't think he could handle it, parting ways with him just a few months later to add Rivers.
If the Milwaukee Bucks are viewing next season as a gap year, bringing in a new head coach would be a reasonable move, but it appears the team will stand pat. That would be quite frustrating, given all of the flaws Rivers has displayed during his year and a half at the helm, but his relationship with Giannis is strong, so the two may continue this partnership based on that.
Outside of a new coach, a gap year for the Milwaukee Bucks should involve finding and developing as much young talent as possible. Last year, one of Rivers' fatal flaws was that he was over-reliant on the team's veterans, which quickly caught up to them in the postseason. This team must get younger and faster around Giannis Antetokounmpo if they want to have any shot at contending.
Doc Rivers, if he does indeed return to Milwaukee, must also utilize that talent.
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