Bucks Linked to New Coach as Doc Rivers Faces Uncertain Future

The Milwaukee Bucks are approaching a pivotal offseason, and a potential coaching change is increasingly becoming part of the conversation.

According to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein, former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Doc Rivers if the Bucks decide to move on after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.

Milwaukee fell to 30-47 following back-to-back losses this week, underscoring a season that has fallen short of expectations. Rivers has posted a 97-101 record with the franchise, along with a first-round playoff exit.

“Also growing is an anticipation that Bucks coach Doc Rivers and the franchise could be heading for some sort of parting,” Stein reported on Sunday.

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Rivers’ Future Uncertain Amid Hall of Fame Recognition

Rivers’ future has come into sharper focus after he was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, a development that has only intensified speculation about a possible departure.

The 64-year-old coach’s decorated résumé — highlighted by a championship with the Boston Celtics — now intersects with a season that has raised questions about Milwaukee’s direction.

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Taylor Jenkins Emerges as Leading Candidate

Jenkins, 41, is viewed as a natural candidate given his familiarity with the organization. He previously served as an assistant under Mike Budenholzer during the Bucks’ 2018-19 season before earning his first head coaching role in Memphis.

During his tenure with the Grizzlies, Jenkins developed a reputation for implementing a fast-paced, modern offense built around Ja Morant.

However, his time in Memphis ended abruptly despite that success.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Jenkins — the winningest coach in franchise history — was dismissed after the organization determined he had lost the locker room amid late-season struggles. Memphis had gone just 8-11 after the All-Star break and struggled against top-tier opponents.

The Grizzlies’ broader direction has also shifted significantly. The franchise traded All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz at the deadline, signaling a move toward a younger core and long-term flexibility.

At the same time, Memphis has explored trade scenarios involving Morant, with multiple reports indicating the team has been open to offers for its franchise guard.

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Could Jenkins, Morant Reunite in Milwaukee?

Those developments add another layer to Jenkins’ candidacy in Milwaukee.

The Bucks were among teams linked to trade interest in Morant earlier this season, and league-wide speculation continues to surround his long-term future as Memphis navigates a potential rebuild.

That raises an intriguing possibility: could Jenkins and Morant reunite in Milwaukee?

While such a scenario remains speculative, the connection is notable. Jenkins built Memphis’ system around Morant’s speed and playmaking, and his familiarity with the guard’s strengths could make him an appealing option for a Bucks team evaluating multiple pathways forward.

Whether that includes pairing Morant with Giannis Antetokounmpo or preparing for a post-Giannis era remains uncertain.

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Bucks Facing Larger Organizational Questions

The potential coaching change is just one piece of a broader puzzle for Milwaukee.

According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, there is a growing belief that significant changes could be coming, with Rivers’ future potentially tied to the direction of the roster.

“Nothing has gone right for the Bucks in quite some time,” Siegel wrote, noting concerns about confidence in the current coaching approach.

At the center of those decisions is Antetokounmpo, whose long-term future with the franchise continues to shape the organization’s outlook.

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Bucks at a Crossroads

Milwaukee’s struggles have created a sense of urgency heading into the offseason.

If the Bucks move on from Rivers, Jenkins’ name is expected to be among the first considered — not only for his coaching résumé, but also for his potential role in shaping the team’s next phase.

Whether that phase includes a retool around Antetokounmpo, a pursuit of another star, or a more significant reset remains to be seen.

But with coaching uncertainty, roster questions and trade speculation all converging, the Bucks are clearly approaching a crossroads — one that could define the franchise’s trajectory for years to come.

Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo