After a few short months away, Doc Rivers could soon be back coaching on an NBA sideline.
Rivers began the 2023-24 season as an analyst on ESPN's lead broadcast crew but has now emerged as a serious candidate to become the next head coach of the Bucks, who parted ways with first-year head coach Adrian Griffin just 43 games into the season.
With Milwaukee reportedly seeking an accomplished veteran coach, Rivers' standing as a one-time Coach of the Year and NBA champion reportedly places him near the top of the list to take over for the East's No. 2 seed. Rivers took his first NBA head coaching job in 1999 and coached at least part of each of the next 24 seasons before being let go by the 76ers following a playoff exit last May.
Here's what the latest rumors surrounding Rivers indicate about his potential future as Milwaukee's next lead man.
MORE: Why Bucks fired coach Adrian Griffin after 43 games
Doc Rivers coaching rumors
Rivers finalizing agreement to become Bucks' next head coach
Date: Jan. 24
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Rivers and the Bucks are finalizing an agreement that would make him the franchise's next head coach.
TNT Sports' Chris Haynes and The Athletic's Shams Charania each followed up with reports that aligned with Wojnarowski's.
Rivers is the primary focus for the Bucks
Date: Jan. 24
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski joins Frank Isola and Brian Scalabrine on SiriusXM NBA Radio's "The Starting Lineup," where sharing that Rivers "is the focus of this search," adding that the Bucks and Rivers were in communication throughout Tuesday, Jan. 23.
Wojnarowski continued, saying that given what Milwaukee is seeking in a head coach, its options are limited and Rivers stands out above the rest.
Rivers is 'at the forefront of the Bucks search'
Date: Jan. 24
During an overnight appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski shares that there have been conversations between Rivers, his representation and the Bucks' front office.
Wojnarowski adds that Rivers is "at the forefront of the Bucks search" given his pedigree as a championship coach and familiarity with contending teams in the Eastern Conference.
Bucks, Rivers working on a deal with no agreement in place
Date: Jan. 24
TNT Sports' Chris Haynes reports that the Bucks and Rivers "continue to work towards a deal that will make him the franchise’s next head coach, but there is no agreement in place as of now," refuting an earlier report that Rivers had accepted the position as Milwaukee's next lead man.
CNN Sports reports that Doc Rivers has accepted Bucks' offer
Date: Jan. 23
In between games during an NBA doubleheader on TNT, host Adam Lefkoe reports that Rivers has accepted an offer to become Milwaukee's head coach, per CNN Sports.
BREAKING: Bucks are hiring Doc Rivers as HC, per CNN Sports pic.twitter.com/CnWsvah2kB
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 24, 2024
Bucks have reached out to Rivers to discuss coaching vacancy
Date: Jan. 23
Adding to earlier reports of mutual interest between the two parties, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski shares that Milwaukee has reached out to Rivers and both sides have begun engaging in discussions surrounding the coaching job.
Rivers is the preferred coaching choice of Bucks' brass
Date: Jan. 23
As news of Griffin's firing began to circulate, The Athletic's Shams Charania details what went wrong in Milwaukee. Charania notes that, following the Bucks' loss to the Pacers in the In-Season Tournament, Rivers "began to serve as an informal consultant to Griffin at the behest of the Bucks."
Following Griffin's firing, Charania adds that Rivers is "the preferred choice of key stakeholders."
Rivers 'near the top of the list' of Bucks' coaching targets
Date: Jan. 23
Within 10 minutes of the news of Griffin's firing, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Milwaukee is "planning to quickly pursue a small pool of accomplished and available veteran head coaches," with Rivers fitting the criteria and rising to the top of the list of candidates.
Rivers 'a serious candidate' for the Bucks' coaching job
Date: Jan. 23
In a follow-up to the breaking news of Milwaukee's decision to fire Griffin, The Athletic's Shams Charania reports that Rivers "has emerged as a serious candidate" to become the Bucks' new head coach.
Bucks 'will strongly consider' Rivers for coaching vacancy
Date: Jan. 23
Less than five minutes after reporting that Griffin would be fired, TNT Sports' Chris Haynes notes that the Bucks "will strongly consider" Rivers to take over as head coach midseason.
