Doc Rivers is set to depart as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, marking the franchise's third head coaching search in as many years. This significant change initiates a summer of transition for the Bucks organization. Rivers' tenure, which began in late January 2024 when he replaced Adrian Griffin, concludes with a combined record of 97-103 across three seasons.

Rivers initially took over from Griffin, who held a 30-13 record before his dismissal. Rivers guided the Bucks to a 17-19 finish in the 2023-24 campaign. His first full season, 2024-25, saw the team achieve a 48-34 record. However, despite these efforts, his time in Milwaukee was characterized by two first-round playoff exits. The most recent season, 2025-26, culminated in the Bucks missing both the postseason and the play-in tournament entirely, snapping a nine-year streak of playoff appearances.

Multiple sources close to ESPN indicated a season-long disconnect between Rivers and his players, leading to reported locker room frustrations. Rivers himself acknowledged the team's performance, stating after a 32-50 loss to the 76ers that the season