New NBA Rumors Update Bucks' Head Coaching Search After Doc Rivers Exit

A potential favorite is emerging in the Milwaukee Bucks' search for a new head coach.

Per The Athletic's Eric Nehm and Sam Amick, the Bucks "have registered serious interest" in former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins following Doc Rivers' exit.

According to Nehm and Amick, Bucks owners Wes Edens and Jimmy Haslam, along with general manager Jon Horst, travelled to Memphis to "discuss their head coach opening and a vision for the future" with Jenkins early last week.

Nehm and Amick added that a deal is not in place and contract details have not been established, but Jenkins is expected to meet with the Bucks again soon.

Jenkins was the Grizzlies' head coach from 2019 to 2025, where he amassed a 250-214 record and made the playoffs in four of his six seasons at the helm. He tied Memphis' franchise record with 56 wins in 2022 and led the Grizzlies to their first playoff series win since 2015.

The team fired Jenkins last season with nine games remaining in the regular season, despite Memphis reaching the playoffs.

Before his time with the Grizzlies, Jenkins served on Mike Budenholzer's staff, first with the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2018 and then with the Bucks in 2018-19.

Jenkins, who was a candidate for the New York Knicks' job last year, is also considered to be an option for the Orlando Magic if they fire Jamahl Mosley, according to Nehm and Amick.

Rivers stepped down as the Bucks' head coach last week following the team's first playoff absence in a decade. Rivers later indicated that he's done coaching entirely.

The Bucks have plenty of work to do to get back into playoff form, and they're likely entering another offseason highlighted by Giannis Antetokounmpo's potential exit, but finding their new head coach is at the top of the priority list.