04/23/26 03:45:00
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04/23 15:44 CDT Bucks are finalizing a deal with Taylor Jenkins to take over as
coach, AP source says
Bucks are finalizing a deal with Taylor Jenkins to take over as coach, AP
source says
By STEVE MEGARGEE
AP Sports Writer
MILWAUKEE (AP) --- The Milwaukee Bucks are finalizing a deal with Taylor
Jenkins to fill their head-coaching position that became vacant after Doc
Rivers' departure, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated
Press on Thursday.
The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because no hire had
been announced. ESPN first reported that the Bucks were finalizing a deal with
Jenkins.
Jenkins coached the Memphis Grizzlies from 2019-25 and posted a 250-214 record
that included three straight playoff appearances from 2021-23. The
playoff-bound Grizzlies fired him with nine games left in the 2024-25 season
and went on to get swept by eventual champion Oklahoma City in the first round
of that year's playoffs.
This would represent a return to Milwaukee for Jenkins, who was an assistant
coach on Mike Budenholzer's staff during the 2018-19 season. The Bucks posted
an NBA-best 60-22 record that season before blowing a 2-0 lead in the Eastern
Conference finals to the eventual champion Toronto Raptors.
Jenkins would be taking over a Bucks team that is entering a critical summer
after going 32-50 this season, ending a streak of nine straight playoff
appearances.
Milwaukee's main offseason concern regards the future of two-time MVP Giannis
Antetokounmpo, who has spent his entire 13-season NBA career with the Bucks.
Antetokounmpo, 31, is eligible to become a free agent after next season if he
doesn't sign a four-year, $275 million contract extension in October. Or the
Bucks could trade him beforehand if they don't believe he will sign that
extension.
Antetokounmpo was asked after the Bucks' season finale whether he'd sign an
extension.
"It's something I have to sit down with my family and see what's best for me,
what's best for my family," he replied.
The Bucks announced Rivers' departure as coach on April 13, the day after their
season ended.
Rivers went 97-103 in 2 1/2 seasons with the Bucks. He owns a 1,194-866 overall
record and ranks sixth in NBA career coaching wins.
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AP Pro Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this report.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
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