Doc Rivers is out as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. Speculation had been brewing in recent weeks that he could depart shortly after the season, and ESPN's Shams Charania confirms that he is indeed leaving that role. The first domino in what should be an action-packed summer for Milwaukee has fallen, and it's about time.
Rivers had worn out his welcome with the Milwaukee Bucks
This probably should have happened last summer. Not all of Milwaukee's flaws over these past two and a half years were Rivers' fault, but he shares plenty of the blame. With a 97-103 record as coach, things just were not clicking. Bringing Rivers back for the final year of his contract would have been nothing short of a disaster.
Interestingly, Charania does not mention what comes next. Dating back to last summer, there has been chatter that Rivers could potentially transition to a front office role rather than coach. That is still likely on the table, but for now, Charania just mentions that he is "departing" as head coach. An update on his future with the franchise should soon follow.
Given the timing of this move—it happened less than an hour after Milwaukee finished the season with a loss in Philadelphia—it's clear that Rivers' mind has been made up for a while. Perhaps that makes things all the more frustrating, considering that he's already had one foot out the door for quite some time, in all likelihood.
Bucks will embark on another coaching search this summer
For the third time in three years, the Milwaukee Bucks will be looking for a new head coach. Milwaukee needs to nail this next pick. Hiring Adrian Griffin and firing him midway through his rookie season only to hire Doc Rivers has been nothing short of a disaster for everyone involved. They need to get this one right.
Of course, the tricky part of this situation is that the Bucks must see what Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to do first. No coach will sign on with the franchise until they know whether Giannis is staying or seeking greener pastures. Just like with Rivers, Milwaukee needs to get that sorted out quickly before all of the other prime candidates are snatched off the market.
There's no telling how the next several months will go. More change is coming, one way or another. Strap in, Milwaukee Bucks fans.
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