Sources Report Agreement: Doc Rivers Set to Become Head Coach for the Milwaukee Bucks

In a recent development, Doc Rivers has reportedly entered into an agreement in principle to assume the role of the Milwaukee Bucks’ next head coach, as disclosed by sources to ESPN on Wednesday.

Rivers, a seasoned NBA analyst with ESPN and the former head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, emerged as the top candidate shortly after the departure of Adrian Griffin. Negotiations between Rivers and the Bucks’ management extended deep into the late hours of Tuesday and carried on into Wednesday morning before culminating in a deal, according to sources.

Despite the Milwaukee Bucks holding the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, the decision was made to terminate Adrian Griffin’s coaching tenure after just 43 games. The organization’s rationale behind this move was rooted in their belief that securing a more adept coach would enhance their prospects of contending for a championship.

General Manager Jon Horst, recognizing Rivers’ distinguished coaching career and his current availability, orchestrated a pursuit to bring him on board. Horst successfully persuaded Rivers to accept the coaching position, providing him with the opportunity to vie for his second NBA title as a coach.

Doc Rivers has a longstanding connection with Milwaukee, having been an All-American guard for Marquette in the early 1980s. His coaching career is marked by 16 consecutive winning seasons since leading the Boston Celtics to an NBA title in 2008—a streak surpassed only by coaching luminaries Gregg Popovich, Phil Jackson, and Pat Riley, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Rivers’ regular-season victories, totaling 1,097, stand as the ninth highest in NBA history, complemented by 111 playoff victories, ranking him fourth all-time.

While Rivers faces challenges in postseason performance, including 10 Game 7 losses and a recent streak of five consecutive losses with an opportunity to reach the conference finals, the Bucks view his hiring as an opportunity to fortify their defense and maintain their pursuit of securing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Following his departure from the Philadelphia 76ers at the conclusion of the last season, Rivers was reportedly a runner-up for the coaching job with the Phoenix Suns, losing out to Frank Vogel. Subsequently, he transitioned to an analyst role with ESPN and ABC’s NBA game coverage.

Adrian Griffin, despite achieving a commendable 30-13 record, witnessed the Bucks’ defensive efficiency decline from fourth to 22nd. The Bucks attributed some of this decline to the absence of All-Star guard Jrue Holiday. Hired in June to replace Mike Budenholzer, Griffin was tasked with incorporating his coaching system into a team of seasoned veterans. While Horst believes Griffin has the potential to develop into a successful NBA head coach, the organization lost confidence in his ability to achieve this within the immediate championship window, leading to his departure.

In summary, the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to bring Doc Rivers on board reflects a strategic move to capitalize on his coaching acumen and experience, with the aim of reinforcing the team’s defensive capabilities and sustaining their competitive edge in the Eastern Conference.