Bucks to Hire Doc Rivers As Next Coach, per Report

Milwaukee is turning to a veteran leader with local ties.

Less than 24 hours after canning coach Adrian Griffin, the Milwaukee Bucks appear to have found his replacement.

The Bucks are hiring veteran coach Doc Rivers as their next head coach, according to a Wednesday morning report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Rivers, 62, is currently serving as an analyst for ESPN.

Named one of the 15 greatest coaches in league history for the NBA's 75th anniversary in 2022, Rivers has led the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers at various points since 2000. Rivers led the Celtics to the NBA title in 2008 and the Eastern Conference title in 2010.

BREAKING: Doc Rivers is finalizing an agreement to become the next coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell ESPN. The Bucks are getting the coach they targeted over the past 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/SP16vhYJDP

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 24, 2024

Rivers was also an All-Star guard for four teams from 1984 to ’96, most notably the Atlanta Hawks. The coach has ties to Milwaukee from his playing career, having suited up for Marquette from 1981 to ’83.

Reports emerged Tuesday that Rivers was informally consulting Griffin behind the scenes for much of this season. 

He inherits a team with a record of 30–13, 3.5 games back of Boston in the Eastern Conference standings, despite persistent defensive struggles embodied by a ghastly average of 120.5 points allowed per game.