Doc Rivers is departing as the pinnacle coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, sources instructed ESPN on Sunday.
The Bucks will embark on their third head teaching search in three years. The Bucks pays Rivers out on his eight-figure wage for the 2026-27 season. The franchise and Rivers are discussing whether or not he’ll transfer to an advisory function within the group, sources stated.
This begins a summer time of change for the Bucks after Rivers went 97-103 throughout three seasons in Milwaukee, with two first-round playoff exits and lacking the postseason and play-in match this yr.
Team sources stated there was a season-long disconnect between Rivers and the players, together with situations that rubbed the locker room the flawed manner.
Rivers took over as coach for the Bucks in late January 2024, changing Adrian Griffin, who had gone 30-13 within the function earlier than being fired. Rivers guided the Bucks to a 17-19 mark to end the 2023-24 marketing campaign. Milwaukee went 48-34 in Rivers’ first full season in 2024-25.
Rivers handled accidents to his high gamers in every season, with Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo lacking time within the 2024 and 2025 playoffs and having Antetokounmpo wholesome for simply 36 video games in 2025-26.
Rivers, who was named to the Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2026 and led the 2007-08 Boston Celtics to an NBA championship, ranks sixth all-time amongst NBA coaches in regular-season wins and fourth all-time in profession playoff victories.
The Bucks snapped a streak of 9 consecutive seasons within the playoffs this yr. They haven’t gained a playoff sequence since 2022.
Milwaukee gained the 2021 championship below Mike Budenholzer, who was let go in 2023.
ESPN’s Jamal Collier contributed to this report.