Bucks’ Rivers discusses longing for his grandchildren when questioned about his future.
Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers, the NBA’s most successful active coach and sixth on the all-time wins list, suggested on Tuesday that he may contemplate stepping down from his position at the conclusion of this challenging Bucks season.
Rivers’ motivation: his grandchildren.
In essence, he appears to be someone who wishes to dedicate more time to them.
“I won’t respond to that, but I have grandkids that I want to see,” Rivers stated to reporters when queried about his future prior to the Bucks’ game in Brooklyn. “I’ll phrase it that way. I’ll let you deduce the rest.”
At 64, Rivers has one year remaining on his contract, but the Bucks’ management is expected to make a decision regarding his status within the next week, sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania.
This summer, Rivers will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. Only Gregg Popovich, Don Nelson, Lenny Wilkens, Jerry Sloan, and Pat Riley have accumulated more coaching victories than Rivers, who secured the NBA championship as a coach with Boston in 2008.
Milwaukee entered the season with aspirations of winning the championship, centered around perennial All-Star and former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, and further strengthened by the signing of Myles Turner in free agency last summer. However, injuries plagued Milwaukee; the Bucks began the season 8-5, then suffered seven consecutive losses, dropping them below .500, where they remained for the duration of the season.
They have not been a top-eight team in the Eastern Conference since mid-November, and in February, they received trade inquiries for Antetokounmpo—ultimately opting to retain him, at least for the time being—and are currently engaged in a public dispute with their star player. He has expressed a desire to play despite the Bucks being out of playoff contention; the team has kept him sidelined, citing injuries.
Antetokounmpo has participated in 36 games this season, marking the lowest total of his 13-year career. The ongoing speculation regarding his future in Milwaukee has been a source of frustration for Rivers, leading him to express last week that it has been troubling to continually address questions about the dynamic between Antetokounmpo and the organization.
“The challenging aspect of all this is I’m caught in the middle when I have no involvement in it,” Rivers remarked on Friday. “Coaches do not make these decisions. However, the issue with our league is that coaches are the ones in the spotlight, and we are required to respond to these inquiries. I believe there are two perspectives to this. I will tell you that.”
Antetokounmpo’s future with the franchise is sure to be a significant topic during the offseason. Additionally, Rivers’ future will also be under scrutiny.
He appeared somewhat contemplative last week when he was officially announced as a Hall inductee.
“Without the players I have coached, and without the coaches I have worked alongside, I wouldn’t be here,” Rivers stated upon being named as part of this year’s Hall class. “None of us exist in isolation. We all live and thrive with others, and other individuals assist us in reaching our current positions.”
Rivers joined the Bucks midway through the 2023-24 season. He has various interests beyond coaching and would likely be a desirable broadcaster—having previously done television work—if he decides to step away from coaching. He mentioned that it is challenging to be absent from his young grandchildren.
“I have seven grandkids now, all aged 8 and under,” Rivers noted. “It pains me every time I miss grandparents’ day at their school. It may be time to spend more time with them. So, I’ll let you deduce the rest.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
