Milwaukee Bucks Enter Uncertain Future After Doc Rivers Exit

The glory days are over for the Milwaukee Bucks.

It’s hard to believe that Milwaukee won the NBA Championship in 2021, which is already five years ago.

On Sunday night, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers departed the organization following a 32-50 season, finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference. Without Rivers, the Bucks will start their third coaching search in the last three years.

That’s not good.

Whoever Milwaukee taps next to coach the Bucks needs to understand that they’re going to be living in life after Giannis Antetokounmpo. The 31-year-old was sidelined following the NBA trade deadline, where the Bucks decided to hold onto him instead of trading the superstar forward.

Antetokounmpo called his benching “disrespectful” following Milwaukee’s regular season finale.

According to reports, Antetokounmpo wanted to handle his situation professionally. He was open to being traded and the Bucks decided to keep him on the roster, but on the sideline. The NBA is investigating Milwaukee’s handling of Antetokounmpo – as he felt as if he was healthy enough to suit up and contribute.

It feels like the Bucks are heading for an ugly split with Antetokounmpo, who has been the face of their franchise since 2013.

Of course, the Bucks will get a nice trade package for Antetokounmpo, who only appeared in 36 games for the team this season. But he’s an irreplaceable talent when healthy, and the Bucks will miss him for years to come.

The Bucks might not realize it because they currently employ Antetokounmpo – but hiring your third coach in as many seasons is typically the mark of an unstable organization.

Outside of Antetokounmpo? Milwaukee doesn’t have a very talented roster. Unless they somehow land a proven superstar in a return for Antetokounmpo this offseason, the Bucks and their new head coach will be headed right back towards the NBA Draft Lottery next season.

That’s not really a spot that Bucks fans should want to be in.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver has spent the entire season threatening tanking teams, as nearly one third of the league isn’t even trying to win games anymore. If Silver abolishes or tweaks the lottery, the Bucks will suffer as a small market franchise.

Milwaukee needs to ace this head coaching hire. Ideally, a candidate who specializes in player development. Then, they need to maximize the return on Antetokounmpo.

It won’t be pretty. There will be plenty of losing. But if the Bucks don’t ace this coaching search or don’t get enough back for one of the league’s best players, they’re headed towards basketball ruins.