According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Sam Amick and Eric Nehm of The Athletic, the Milwaukee Bucks could hire Doc Rivers or Kenny Atkinson to replace Adrian Griffin.
The Bucks fired Griffin today. Rivers began to serve as an informal consultant to Griffin at the behest of the Bucks in December, while Atkinson was a runner-up to Griffin in Milwaukee’s head-coaching search.
“League sources say Doc Rivers, who is an ESPN analyst after getting fired by the Philadelphia 76ers last May, began to serve as an informal consultant to Griffin at the behest of the Bucks,” Charania, Amick and Nehm wrote. “One month later, multiple sources briefed on the matter now indicate that Rivers is the serious leader for the now-vacant position and the preferred choice of key stakeholders.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Doc Rivers, Kenny Atkinson, Adrian Griffin, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
“The Bucks have started discussions with Rivers to become the new head coach of the franchise, league sources said. Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson, who was a runner-up to Griffin in the Bucks’ head coaching search last year, is a candidate for the job as well if the team is unable to secure a deal with Rivers.”
The Bucks are 30-13 on the season. They are in second place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Rivers has coached the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers. He won the 2008 championship with the Celtics.
Atkinson, meanwhile, has coached the Brooklyn Nets. He’s currently an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors.
Joe Prunty will take over as interim coach for the Bucks, who have title aspirations with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard leading the way.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Doc Rivers, Kenny Atkinson, Adrian Griffin, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
The Bucks are second in the NBA in points per game but 25th in points per game allowed. It will be intriguing to see who Milwaukee’s front office replaces Griffin with.
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