Why the Milwaukee Bucks let go of Doc Rivers after another horrible season

Why the Milwaukee Bucks let go of Doc Rivers after another horrible season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Ever since their 2021 championship, the Milwaukee Bucks have been an interesting team to keep track of. Most people know they are reliant on Giannis Antetokounmpo, their superstar, to carry them to victory.

They have done a lot of things to keep him around, including trading for Damian Lillard. Unfortunately, many of their big-time decisions keep backfiring. This includes the Dame trade, Adrian Griffin's tenure as head coach, and now, Doc Rivers' tenure.

The reason behind the Milwaukee Bucks letting go of Doc Rivers

Rivers spent the majority of three seasons with the Bucks as a mediocre team. He only mustered two first-round exits with the Bucks and even missed the Play-In Tournament in the 2025-26 season.

He mustered a 97-103 total record with the Bucks, while his predecessor was let go when they were doing well with a 30-13 record midway through the 2023-24 season.

It was clear that Rivers was on his way out because that is not a good track record. He was supposed to have one more year in his contract, but it seems the Bucks have decided to pay him his salary, but relieve him of his duties.

MORE:Doc Rivers admits the Milwaukee Bucks put star Giannis Antetokounmpo in a tough spot

Rivers has been a successful head coach in his career. He won a championship with the Boston Celtics, but since then, he has become known for struggling to get his teams over the line. Whether that is the Los Angeles Clippers or the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Bucks are now looking to move in another direction. With a big offseason coming up that could have a significant Antetokounmpo trade, a new direction could shift the organization's long-term future.

Rivers might have been a coach with a long legacy, but that does not matter anymore for Milwaukee. They will now have an eventful offseason where they will look for the next person to take the Bucks into a new era.

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