Bucks linked to former Coach of the Year finalist as Doc Rivers’ replacement

The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly have their eyes on one candidate as a potential replacement for Doc Rivers.

Several reporters confirmed Sunday that the Bucks are moving on from Rivers as the team’s head coach. One name that could reportedly take Rivers’ post is former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins.

According to Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico, Jenkins is “expected to be among the candidates” in the Bucks’ search for their next head coach. There were already rumors linking Jenkins to Milwaukee even before Rivers was officially relieved of his duties.

While Rivers will no longer stand on the sidelines for the Bucks, he is reportedly expected to transition into a “front office or consultant-type role.”

Jenkins served as the Grizzlies’ head coach from 2019 to 2025. He led the Western Conference squad to a 250-214 record with four playoff appearances across six seasons.

Jenkins was an NBA Coach of the Year finalist in 2022 after guiding the Grizzlies to a 56-win season and a top-2 seed in the West.

Memphis made the surprising decision to fire Jenkins 73 games into last season. While Grizzlies star Ja Morant reportedly had a good personal relationship with Jenkins, the team felt the coach wasn’t getting enough out of the high-flying guard.