Bucks have backed themselves into a corner with Doc Rivers

Since taking over as the head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, Doc Rivers has overseen 47 regular-season games, going 20-27. Considering he has Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo at his disposal, that record is open to scrutiny, especially as the Bucks are 3-8 to start the season. 

Milwaukee’s problems run deep. Its roster is among the oldest in the NBA, it has next to no tradeable assets and its stash of draft picks is akin to a couple of nickels and dimes in the jar where you throw your spare change. 

The Bucks chose Rivers due to his experience around the NBA. He’s coached over 1900 regular-season games and led the Boston Celtics to a championship in 2008. Such a significant resume was supposed to bring stability, yet, with each passing day, the Bucks look closer and closer to a full-blown meltdown.

However, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, it’s hard to envision Rivers’ position as the team’s head coach being under threat. Milwaukee signed him to a three-and-a-half-year $40M deal last season. Firing him now would mean parting with a mouthwatering sum of cash for Rivers to stay home.

“For those asking about whether Rivers could be on the hot seat, let’s not forget the Bucks paid him approximately $40M on a three-and-a-half-year deal less than a year ago,” Amick wrote. “What’s more, Horst is facing pressure because of how these past few seasons have gone, and league sources are skeptical he’d be given the leeway to make another coaching change this soon.”

47 games isn’t enough for a coach to implement his ideas onto a team, even if those games had a full summer and training camp sandwiched somewhere between them. There’s a learning curve involved that can only be overcome with real-game reps. However, the Bucks’ current position within the Eastern Conference and the growing unrest among the fanbase can’t be ignored.

Milwaukee must make a decision. If its sticking with Rivers, he needs a roster that fits his vision. That means making some trades, even if the outgoing players won’t be popular decisions with the fans. You can’t commit $40M to a coach and not give him the tools he requires to succeed. 

However, if the front office has lost trust in Rivers, they must reach an agreement to let him go. It won’t help anyone if the Bucks keep him to save money but end up mired in the early stages of a rebuild. 

Milwaukee is 11 games into its new season. Things could look a lot better in a couple of months’ time, especially if Khris Middleton hits the ground running when he rejoins the rotation. 

However, if we get to February, and its still stuck near the foot of their conference, the only logical answer is picking up the phone and making some trades. The Bucks owe it to Rivers to let him try and right the ship, at least for right now.