Doc Rivers Quits Bucks After Tumultuous Season, Will Still Receive Remaining 8-Figure Salary

Doc Rivers was rumored to be on the way out of the Milwaukee Bucks amidst an exhausting and difficult season.

Doc Rivers Quits Bucks After Tumultuous Season, Will Still Receive Remaining 8-Figure Salary

Doc Rivers steps down as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Doc Rivers has stepped down as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks after a disappointing season.
  • The Bucks will pay Rivers his remaining eight-figure salary for the final year of his contract.
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo expressed shock at Rivers' decision, calling him an "incredible coach."

The Milwaukee Bucks surprised everyone when they fired former head coach Adrian Griffin midway through the 2023-24 season and brought in Doc Rivers to take over.

Unsurprisingly, the latter did not fare better, and the team struggled to post a winning record at the time. However, the 2008 championship-winning head coach assured that he needed the offseason to turn the team around.

That claim worked, as the Bucks returned to their winning ways and made it to the playoffs. But in that first round, they met a motivated Indiana Pacers team that eventually booted the 2022 champions out in that series.

Even though something controversial involving Tyrese Haliburton‘s father and Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated headlines, there were concerns that the Bucks were not as good as Rivers hoped they would be.

Then came this season, and most of the narratives surrounding the team were focused on their leading superstar’s intent to leave. The head coach tried to calm the waters and even leveled accusations at a certain ESPN insider for fueling those rumors.

That, though, did not stop them from posting the worst record in a decade. Now, Doc Rivers has decided to step down from his role as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

This means that the franchise will now search for its third head coach in three seasons. With most of their effort focused on trying to retain the Greek Freak, who they hire, and how they construct their roster will go a long way to ensure he stays.

Doc Rivers will still receive his final season’s salary

With Doc Rivers stepping down instead of being fired, usually, the Milwaukee Bucks will not be obligated to pay the remainder of his salary. However, it seems the organization is going to do him a solid.

Doc Rivers could stay with Bucks in advisory role
Doc Rivers could stay with Bucks in advisory role (Image via Barstool Sports/X)

It may have been that the 64-year-old understood he needed to step away, and instead of putting the franchise in a tough spot and facing the blame, his stepping down made it as non-controversial as possible.

As per Shams Charania, the one Rivers accused of fueling his revenge by making up a story about the latter’s apparent resume flex, the Bucks will pay out the eight-figure salary their now-former head coach was supposed to earn in the 2026-27 season.

It was also reported that the soon-to-be Hall of Fame coach has been offered a chance to be part of the team’s decision-making think tank. He will meet with the top brass over the next few days to decide.

If he does retire from coaching, the Chicago, Illinois, native will leave the game with a head coaching record of .580 in his nearly 28-year stint leading teams.

Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘shocked’ at Doc Rivers’ decision

This information about Rivers stepping down came minutes after the final buzzer sounded at Xfinity Mobile Arena, where the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks.

While Giannis Antetokounmpo was walking through the tunnel, reporter Jeff Skversky caught up with the two-time MVP to ask for a reaction to the news.

I haven’t heard it yet. It’s a shock to me… He’s been in the NBA for 30-40 years. He’s definitely an NBA legend… It was great working with him… I’ve got to go call him.

Giannis Antetokounmpo replied

It seems he was not ready for this news, as only the Bucks, Shams Charania, and the league knew about it. He looked shocked and acknowledged that the way the season panned out was a ‘shame.’

He would have preferred if Doc Rivers walked away from the game with at least a playoff effort. But he knows there is not much they can do about it, with his injuries being one of the reasons for their disappointing run.

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