Trade rumors involving Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo have swirled throughout the past season, with the team finishing nowhere near the playoffs.
That speculation will continue into the offseason, and now, the Bucks will also need to figure out who will be the head coach next season. On Sunday, ESPN’s NBA insider, Shams Charania, reported that head coach Doc Rivers is parting ways with the team after roaming the sidelines for nearly two-and-a-half seasons.
According to Charania, the team’s 30-52 finish under Rivers this season leaves them searching for their third head coach in three seasons. It also arrives as there will continue to be interest from teams in acquiring the “Greek Freak” to bolster their roster and potentially contend for the championship.
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Rivers joined the Bucks as head coach partway into the 2023-24 season, coaching the team for 36 games and going 17-19. His 2024-25 season saw him go 48-34, and the team reached the postseason, although key player Damian Lillard suffered a season-ending injury, which hindered their chances.
The most recent season was a step back, as the team made several moves, including trading with the Indiana Pacers for Miles Turner. However, Giannis participated in fewer than half of the games in the past season, and the team had no chance of reaching the postseason.
Many expected that Rivers would be on the way out, and quite possibly Giannis would be next, but that could take some time.
Regarding what’s next for Rivers, that remains up in the air. However, it appears he has absolutely no interest in coaching a college team like fellow head coach Mike Malone, who recently took the prestigious job at the University of North Carolina.
“No, no, no. That’s not gonna happen. First of all, [new North Carolina head coach Mike Malone] is way younger than me. And secondly, that’s a heck no. That’s free agency every year. No thank you. No. Oh my God, no,” Rivers said on Sunday, according to The New York Times.
It’s unclear if Rivers coached his final NBA game on Sunday, as Milwaukee lost 126-106 to the Philadelphia 76ers. Earlier this week, he hinted at retirement from coaching, telling reporters about his grandchildren whom he’d like to see more often.
“I’ll put it that way. And so I’ll let you figure it out from there. I have seven grandkids now, and they’re all eight 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,” he said, per CBS Sports.
Rivers, a former player, won an NBA Championship while coaching the Boston Celtics in 2008, and was named one of the league’s top 15 coaches in 2022, coinciding with the NBA’s announcement of its 75 greatest players.
In addition to his coaching resume, he’s also worked in television as an NBA game commentator. It’s something he could return to, but for now, he’s going to enjoy the freedom to spend more time with his grandkids.
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