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Here's what some Bucks players had to say about a coaching transition
TL;DR
The Milwaukee Bucks concluded the 2025-26 season with exit interviews, where players expressed uncertainty about head coach Doc Rivers' future. Rivers stepped down the following day, signaling a coaching transition for the team.
The Milwaukee Bucks officially wrapped the 2025-26 season in Philadelphia on April 12, and coaches and players went through exit interviews once they returned to Milwaukee.
And while head coach Doc Rivers' status for 2026-27 wasn't "officially" known by the players as they wrapped the season – he stepped down the next morning, April 13 – enough had been said and signaled that he would not return to the bench.
Some players offered their thoughts on a transition:
Myles Turner: "There's nothing I can do, honestly. These decisions are above me. I've been in a situation before where a coach has transitioned, but I just have to kind of wait and see at this point. I'm signed here for the longterm so I just have to kind of roll with the punches.
"Just transparency in exit meetings [is what I'm looking for]. We have our exit meetings on [April 13] and then when you speak, you sit with the front office, the coaching staff, just clear transparency. As much as they can give at this point."
Taurean Prince: "Definitely gotta have somebody that believes in my personally, believes what I can bring to the team. And also an organization that that thinks the same thing."
Bobby Portis Jr.: "I mean, if you're a coach you love Bobby Portis. Whatever coach it is here or wherever, you can't help but love Bobby Portis. I'll be available for you every night, I'm going to fight my (expletive) off for you and I'm going to give 110% effort to the team each and every day, that's on the court, off the court. I am who I am. And I don't shy away from playing the game. It is what it is at this point. Eleven years in, NBA vet, I know what to do."
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers talks to Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) and Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) during a free throw in the second half at Fiserv Forum on the evening of Feb. 3, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: “He’s been a coach for 25 years, he had an incredible coaching career, he had 13 years as a player. Also, an incredible player. I think he solidified himself as an NBA legend, as a Hall of Famer, so whatever decision that he’s gonna make it will be the best decision for him and his family. And if coach is gonna be here, I’ll be excited to see him. If coach decides that maybe he doesn’t want to be here, I’m definitely going to call him and talk to him because I definitely respect him.”
Portis: "Doc is great, man. Obviously I think in sports we kind of judge people off their success, judge people off if you win or didn't win. Obviously if you look at the three years, every year somebody's been hurt. First year, Giannis was hurt against the Pacers, we didn't play with him in the playoffs. Last year obviously Giannis was hurt most of the season, still did his thing, but then Dame [Lillard] got hurt as well with the blood clots and then a torn Achilles. Then this year Giannis again. So, sometimes winning isn't all on a coach. The players are the one playing the game and if you don't have all you soldiers to go to war with it's kind of hard to win the NBA. The NBA is built with a couple stars on the team and then everybody else around them has to play a role and impact winning. And unfortunately over the last couple years – every year I've been here somebody's gotten hurt. I think it's the nature of the game. You have to kind of expect it as far as like building a team, you gotta build it strong enough if one person goes down somebody can step up. That's why it's called a team anyway in sports. It's kind of the game. Not an excuse, but just what the facts are."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks players reacted to Doc Rivers stepping down as coach
Q&A
What did Myles Turner say about the coaching transition for the Milwaukee Bucks?
Myles Turner expressed that he has to accept decisions regarding the coaching transition, emphasizing the need for transparency during exit meetings.
When did Doc Rivers officially step down as head coach of the Bucks?
Doc Rivers officially stepped down as head coach on April 13, 2026, the day after the Bucks completed their season.
What were the circumstances surrounding Doc Rivers' departure from the Bucks?
While Doc Rivers' status was not officially confirmed during exit interviews, signals indicated he would not return, leading to his resignation the following day.
How did the Bucks players react to the coaching changes after the 2025-26 season?
Players, including Myles Turner, expressed a mix of acceptance and a desire for clear communication regarding the coaching changes during their exit interviews.
