Doc Rivers' Future as Bucks HC Discussed by GM After Missing 2026 NBA Playoffs
As the Milwaukee Bucks play out the string over the final week of the regular season, Doc Rivers' future as head coach could be answered sooner rather than later.
In an interview with The Athletic's Eric Nehm, Bucks general manager Jon Horst was vague when discussing if Rivers will remain with the team beyond this season:
"I won't comment on anything contractual. I never do that. I don't actually know exactly where the records were, the seedings, but we've had very good teams every year except for this year that had a real chance going into the playoffs. And, the last couple years, one before him and two with him and then this year, injuries have gotten us. And, that's just the tip of other things he and I have had to manage together. He's been an unbelievable partner in managing those things and I've enjoyed working with him. I value his input. And, I don't know the outcome. We're gonna figure it all out. I think we'll figure it all out pretty quickly and what that looks like going forward. (What) I don't know yet is the answer. I think we will know, but I don't know yet."
Rivers signed a deal with the Bucks in January 2024 that runs through the 2026-27 season.
Per Sportico's Kurt Badenhausen, Rivers' $11 million annual salary ranks fourth among all head coaches. He is behind only Steve Kerr ($17 million), Erik Spoelstra ($15 million) and Tyronn Lue ($15 million).
There has already been a lot of speculation about Rivers' future throughout this season. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said on his radio show last month that Rivers was "gonna retire at the end of this season."
Rivers downplayed the conversation when asked about it on March 6: "No, I'm not getting into that. That's something that; I think he feels that way, but not for me."
It did seem to come back to the forefront on Tuesday during a pregame press conference when Rivers strongly hinted that he might be looking to get away in order to spend more time with his family:
"I won't answer that, but I have grandkids that I want to see. I'll let you figure it out from there. I have seven grandkids now, and they're all 8 years and under, and it kills me every time I miss grandparents day with each one of them in school. It's probably time to go see them more, so I'll let you figure out the rest."
Rivers, who is in his 27th season as an NBA head coach, was recently voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2026. He will be formally inducted at a ceremony this summer.
This season for the Bucks has primarily been defined by rumors and speculation about Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the franchise. Amid all of the chatter about the two-time NBA MVP, the team will miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
The Bucks' .392 winning percentage is their worst since Antetokounmpo's rookie year in 2013-14.
Rivers is on the verge of finishing his second full season as Milwaukee's head coach. He originally joined the team as a consultant in December 2023 under then-head coach Adrian Griffin.
Griffin was fired 43 games into the 2023-24 season and was briefly replaced by Joe Prunty on an interim basis before Rivers took over on a full-time basis in January 2024.
Rivers has a 96-101 record with no playoff series wins in his Bucks tenure.
