ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed on Tuesday morning that Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin was no longer in his position. Less than 12 hours later, emerging reports from CNN disclosed that Doc Rivers was slated to assume the role of the next head coach of the Bucks.

This time, Rivers will be coaching yet another Eastern Conference competitor. From the Boston Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers, and now to Milwaukee, not many coaches can claim they’ve had such a distinct opportunity.

On Wednesday morning, Wojnarowski and Chris Haynes officially confirmed that Rivers would take the reins as the next head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. An NBA Analyst for ESPN, Rivers will take over the leadership of the Bucks, who currently hold the second best record in the NBA at 30-13. Griffin’s dismissal came as a surprise to many.

As of this morning, Shams Charania announced on X, Rivers is set to sign a contract running through the 2026-2027 season. The agreement is believed to be valued at around $40 million.

Doc Rivers was appointed head coach in the wake of Adrian Griffin’s removal

Sources: Doc Rivers is signing a contract through the 2026-27 season worth in the range of $40 million to be the Bucks’ head coach. Milwaukee is paying out former coaches Mike Budenholzer and Adrian Griffin, and now Rivers for next 3.5 years. pic.twitter.com/TJNafNFms9

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 25, 2024

Griffin’s tenure with the Bucks was brief. Following Mike Budenholzer, Griffin had originally pursued 14 different coaching opportunities over a span of 13 years. This past off-season, Milwaukee took a chance on Griffin by signing him to a multi-year deal.

This decision came after former coach Budenholzer was let go following the Bucks’ defeat to the Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Budenholzer had previously led Milwaukee to their first NBA Title in 50 years. It was anticipated that the Bucks would experience a slight regression before the Damian Lillard trade.

Before delving into the Rivers deal, there’s an astonishing twist to this saga. Having had three head coaches in two years, Milwaukee is still obligated to pay the salaries of Budenholzer and Griffin.

In light of the recent news, the Bucks will now be responsible for all three salaries this year. If one didn’t know the team, they might assume they had the worst record in the NBA. Budenholzer and Griffin’s contracts are in effect for the next 3.5 years.

Under Griffin’s guidance, the Bucks are on par with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second best win percentage. However, they are ranked 21st in defensive rating (116.5), conceding nearly 120.5 points per game. With a league-worst 94.5 field goal attempts allowed per game, their point differential stands at just +4.0.

Aside from their 135-102 victory over the Boston Celtics, the Bucks have secured a point differential of +6.75 in their last four wins. Following narrow wins against the league worst Detroit Pistons in back-to-back games, they allowed them to rack up 124 points across two matches. Offensively, Milwaukee ranks second, trailing behind the Indiana Pacers.

According to CBS Sports, the dismissal of Adrian Griffin caught the attention of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo  “by surprise.”

“At the end of the day I trust the ownership decision, I trust the front office.” (Jack Maloney)

Can Doc Rivers Aid in Shaping Milwaukee’s Identity?

Doc Rivers is a coach with extensive experience and a successful track record. Throughout his career, he has overseen the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. Notably, he played a pivotal role in bringing an NBA Title to Boston in 2008.

During that championship campaign, he coached the trio of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. He has also mentored numerous stars, including Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Joel Embiid, James Harden, Grant Hill, and Tracy McGrady, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George.

A few months into his broadcasting stint, Rivers possesses the availability and expertise to guide two superstars in Lillard and Antetokounmpo. Despite the Bucks’ impressive offensive prowess on paper, they occasionally lack fluidity and chemistry.

 Bucks General Manager Jon Horst conceded that the team could be more effective on the defensive end, and the acquisition of Lillard makes them a serious contender in the NBA.

According to ESPN, Horst expressed an “urgency to win,” particularly after their last-minute pursuit of a second superstar. He also believes that the team has the potential to “establish an identity.”

Ultimately, it’s evident that Horst has faith in this team, and their capabilities are greater than what they have shown. In the realm of the NBA, there is often a brief window to seize championships, particularly with the constraints of salary cap space and the max contracts of various players.

Rivers Has Encountered Extensive Criticism During the Playoffs

Rivers boasts 24 years of coaching experience, boasting a regular season win/loss record of 1097-763, and a playoff record of 111-104. Earning the ninth most regular season wins as an NBA coach, Rivers is regarded as one of the finest in the profession. Having watched Rivers over the years, it’s evident that he has a deep affection for coaching the game of basketball.

While Rivers is undoubtedly an exceptional coach, he has faced significant criticism, particularly during the playoffs. Tasked with delivering an NBA Title to the Clippers, he guided Los Angeles to the playoffs in six out of his seven seasons as head coach. In both 2015 and 2020, his teams squandered 3-1 leads in the playoffs against the Warriors and Rockets.

During his tenure as the head coach of the 76ers in the 2022-2023 season, his team relinquished a 3-2 lead to the Celtics. In a gripping conclusion, Philadelphia was crushed 112-88 in a game 7 defeat. He was subsequently relieved of his duties by Philadelphia, which led to his transition into broadcasting.

Amidst all the scrutiny, the Bucks believe that Rivers is the right individual to help the team forge an identity and secure another NBA title, as he did in the past with the Celtics, especially with the big three.

Can Doc Rivers ultimately lead a team to the NBA Finals? Can he aid in establishing an identity and defensive strategy? With the second best record in the NBA, can Milwaukee outshine the other contenders in the East? Only time will tell. The Bucks have secured the services of a future Hall of Fame coach.