Latest news with #DocRivers
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Doc Rivers keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo conversations to himself as uncertainty swirls
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers is still communicating with Giannis Antetokounmpo, even as speculation rises about the Greek Freak's future with the team. The 30-year-old is entering the first year of a three-year, $175 million extension with the Bucks, but following Milwaukee's third consecutive first-round playoff exit, questions have arisen regarding his long-term commitment to the franchise. 'I talk to him all the time,' Rivers told TMZ Sports, but declined to elaborate further on the nature of their discussions. Co-star and starting point guard Damian Lillard tore his Achilles during the Bucks' first-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers, which clouds the team's 2025-26 outlook and only adds to the uncerainty surrounding Antetokounmpo's future in Milwaukee. With Lillard making $54 million next season — like Antetokounmpo is slated to — the Bucks are committing a large portion of their salary cap to someone who is expected to miss all of next season and is also a smaller (6-foot-2), score-first guard who turns 35-years-old in July. Giannis Antetokounmpo dribbles up court against the Indiana Pacers during Game 3 of the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. Getty Images The Bucks' postseason struggles, coupled with an aging roster and limited draft assets, have fueled speculation about potential changes for the 2021 NBA champions. Rivers, who took over as head coach midseason in 2024, has been navigating the challenges of this current moment, though there are questions regarding his tenure if the Bucks do opt to go full rebuild. Head Coach Doc Rivers talks to the media after the game against the Indiana Pacers during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2025 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NBAE via Getty Images Antetokounmpo, if made available for trade, is expected to command a healthy amount of league-wide interest, including the Nets. The former two-time NBA MVP averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per game this past season. The Greek Freak also shot 60% from the field for a full season for the second time in his career, helping to power Milwaukee during a 48-34 season in which they landed the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers ousted the Bucks in five games.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former NBA Star Calls Out Doc Rivers After Controversial Decision
Despite having been around the NBA for a long time, Doc Rivers is one of the most scrutinized head coaches in recent history. This is because of his teams constantly underachieving, as well as his reputation as a playoff choker. In each of his first two playoff runs as the Milwaukee Bucks' head coach, the team was eliminated in the first round by the Indiana Pacers. Regardless of his standing in NBA discussions, Rivers is well-respected in the league. Furthermore, he coached the Boston Celtics to their 17th championship victory in 2008, which was their first in 22 years up to that point. However, he had an opportunity to bring another championship to Boston before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2010 NBA Finals. Advertisement Over a decade later, one of the Celtics' role players from that time called out Rivers for a decision he made that may have cost the team another banner. Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc RiversBenny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports The 2009-10 Celtics were led by their top players, particularly Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo. However, they also had some solid rotation players, including backup guard Nate Robinson. Boston acquired Robinson from the New York Knicks ahead of that year's trade deadline, and he was solid when he stepped on the court. However, 15 years later, the former Celtics guard feels like he should have gotten more playing time in the NBA Finals as he felt he could have helped the team defeat the Lakers. Advertisement "I played in the Finals. I didn't really get to play like that because Doc Rivers was on some [expletive]," Robinson said on the Straight Game Podcast. "But I was mad because we lost by four points. I said, 'D, I can score four points in my sleep, bro.' I couldn't believe it. He didn't even play me that game. I was hurt watching that confetti fall and watching Kobe Bryant just enjoy… That could have been us. I was sick." The Seattle native appeared in all seven games in the NBA Finals for Boston, but he averaged just 10.3 minutes and 4.3 field goal attempts per game. The Celtics lost the series and would not win another championship until 2024. Unfortunately for Robinson, he made the playoffs just two more times after 2010 and never made it back to the NBA Finals. Related: LeBron James Predicted to Make 2026 Retirement Decision Related: Celtics Receive Major News on Jayson Tatum's 2026 Status
Forbes
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Counting Bucks: Milwaukee Bucks 2025 Offseason Cap Sheet
MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 27: Jon Horst speaks to the media during an introductory press conference of ... More Doc Rivers as the new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks on January 27, 2024, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) The Milwaukee Bucks aren't completely underwater when it comes to their salary cap this offseason—but they're definitely treading water. And there's not much room to come up for air. General manager Jon Horst once again has a tricky puzzle in front of him. He'll need to get creative—maybe even surgical—to build a championship-caliber roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo, especially with Damian Lillard likely sidelined for all or most of the upcoming season. Let's start from the ground up: who's under contract, how much space is left, and what tools are in the Bucks' front-office toolbox. Guaranteed Contracts (4) These four contracts already have the Bucks boxed into a corner—four players eating up nearly 86 percent of the salary cap. That leaves just $55.3 million to fill out the other 11 roster spots. As I broke down in the Bucks' Offseason Checklist, here's how the rest of the roster shapes up: Player Options (3): Non-Guaranteed Contracts (3): Unrestricted Free Agents (4): Restricted Free Agent (1): Portis is likely to opt out in search of a longer-term deal—either with Milwaukee or elsewhere. Kevin Porter Jr. could follow suit. Pat Connaughton, on the other hand, is expected to opt in; it's unlikely he'll see that kind of money on the open market. Milwaukee has some easy calls to make with its non-guaranteed deals. AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. are no-brainers to retain at those numbers. Chris Livingston, however, has yet to move the needle and may not be worth keeping around. As for the free agents? It's a wide-open field. Anything can happen, and how the Bucks navigate that space will be telling. Cap Tools Available: It's a better toolkit than they've had in recent offseasons—but every tool comes with its own set of rules. Horst will have to work around those restrictions to squeeze out maximum value. For example, the Bi-Annual Exception can only be used if the Bucks don't dip into cap space. The Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception can be split among multiple players (which could help retain Trent Jr., Porter Jr., and Rollins—a potential home run). But using either exception would hard-cap the team at the first apron. Then there's the Trade Exception created in the Khris Middleton deal with Washington. Milwaukee can use it to bring in a player. In a trade, they can also aggregate contracts or even take back more money in a deal. If they find the right trade partner, this could be a key piece in reshaping the roster. Unfortunately, that's a big 'if'. It's going to be a delicate dance for Horst—one that requires finesse, foresight, and maybe a bit of financial sleight of hand. He has to prove to Giannis that the front office isn't punting on 2025-26. And he has to do it while filling seven roster spots with limited cash and assets. Whether it's a blockbuster swing or a bargain-bin rebuild, one thing's certain: the Bucks' offseason is bound to be anything but boring.
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Milwaukee Bucks 2025 Offseason Checklist: Decisions And Dilemmas
The Milwaukee Bucks have a checklist this offseason that's longer than a Wisconsin winter. General manager Jon Horst is heading into a pivotal offseason filled with roster questions and financial implications. Not included here is the statuses of Doc Rivers or two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both are under contract for the 2025–26 season, and unless someone wants a change of scenery, those situations won't heat up just yet. For now, let's walk through the pressing personnel decisions the Bucks must make as they head into another pivotal summer. After pocketing $12.6 million this past season, Portis holds a $13.5 million player option for 2025–26. Whether he chooses to run it back or test the waters could come down to how much he values stability versus one last swing at a bigger payday. Acquired at the trade deadline, Porter Jr. gave Milwaukee an unexpected jolt off the bench. His $2.6 million player option seems likely to be declined — a bet on himself after rebuilding some stock in a Bucks uniform. Connaughton logged only 41 games — his fewest since year two — but he holds a $9.4 million option for next season. That kind of guaranteed money is tough to pass up, especially considering his limited market value. Expect him to pick it up. After a breakout year, AJ Green has gone from fringe roster guy to dark horse Most Improved Player candidate. The Bucks will likely guarantee his contract, but don't be surprised if they get ahead of the curve and lock him up with a modest extension. Once touted as Milwaukee's best on-ball defender, Jackson Jr. mysteriously vanished from the rotation after the trade deadline. At $2.2 million, his contract is a bargain — expect the Bucks to hold onto this versatile wing unless something unforeseen happens. Chris Livingston has been M.I.A. since being drafted with the 58th overall pick in 2023. With no real development or minutes to speak of, the writing appears to be on the wall. Milwaukee may finally cut bait here. Rollins quietly climbed the ladder from two-way status to a reliable bench contributor. Since he's a restricted free agent, the Bucks can match any offers — and they'd be wise to secure him on a team-friendly deal. He could fill a much-needed role as the backup point guard next season. The Bucks helped rejuvenate Lopez's career after scooping him up in 2018, transforming him into one of the league's top three-and-D bigs. But Father Time is undefeated. At 37 and slowing down, Milwaukee faces a tough call: run it back one more time or turn the page? Trent Jr. lit it up from deep, shooting a sizzling 41.6 percent from three. The Bucks would love to keep him — especially if a new coaching staff unleashes him with a larger offensive role. His market could determine how creative they'll need to be. Prince started 73 games, but the end of the road might be near. His defense has dipped, and with limited shot creation and explosiveness, Milwaukee may look elsewhere for fresh legs and more upside. A mobile big who fits modern defensive schemes, Sims has intriguing tools. But his lack of shooting chops clogs up the lane — and his future in Milwaukee may hinge directly on whether Brook Lopez returns or retires.
Boston Globe
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Bucks confirm Damian Lillard has a torn left Achilles' tendon
'Appreciate all the prayers and well wishes,' Lillard said Monday in an Instagram post. 'This one really hurt... HIS way not MY way. To be continued ...' The Bucks had been bracing for this outcome after Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Lillard's injury occurred in his third game since Advertisement 'This is a tough one, honestly,' Bucks coach Doc Rivers said after Sunday's game. 'Blood clot, followed by this. It's just tough. That's why you have teammates and family around him. He's just such a great freaking dude, on a basketball level, but more importantly as a teammate and a father and all that stuff.' Lillard, 34, was behind the 3-point line around the top of the key midway through the first quarter when the ball bounced toward him. Lillard used his left hand to tip the ball toward teammate Gary Trent Jr., then went down and grabbed the lower part of his left leg. He continued to sit on the floor as play resumed on the other end of the court. Advertisement When Lillard got up, he couldn't put weight on his left leg. He eventually was helped off the court and into the locker room. 'He's one of the toughest guys I know, so when he stays down, you feel for him,' said teammate Pat Connaughton, who played with Lillard in Portland and Milwaukee. The Bucks' Damian Lillard is helped off the floor after tearing his Achilles' tendon during the first quarter of Game 4 of a first-round series against the Pacers. Jeffrey Phelps/Associated Press Lillard's toughness had been apparent from the fact that he was playing in the first place after missing the Bucks' final 14 regular-season games with deep vein thrombosis, an abnormal clot within a vessel where the congealing of blood blocks the flow through on the way back to the heart. He was taken off blood-thinning medication and cleared to resume full basketball activity after the regular season. He missed Game 1 of the Pacers series to work his way back and then returned in Game 2. 'I have so much respect for him,' teammate and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo said. 'A lot of people don't see what Dame had to deal with, but we're around him every single day, and it's hard. It's hard being in his position. He's one of the toughest, mentally toughest guys I've ever been around. That's why he is who he is.' Lillard ranked 10th in the NBA in scoring (24.9) and 10th in assists (7.1) this season while earning his 10th All-Star Game selection. He made an extraordinarily rapid return from his deep vein thrombosis to rejoin his teammates for the playoffs. Advertisement While talking to reporters before the playoffs, Lillard said doctors had told him his case was unusual. 'They were just like, 'We don't see this,' ' Lillard said then. 'For me, I was just like, it was a different experience for me because I went in there a bunch of times and it was the same size. So I'm like, it didn't seem that special, and then it just reached a point where it just got a lot smaller out of nowhere.' Now he faces an even longer recovery while dealing with a separate issue requiring surgery. 'I believe he's going to overcome every obstacle that's put in front of him,' Antetokounmpo said. 'Everybody's going to be there for him. No matter what the obstacle is for him, he's going to overcome and we're going to help him overcome it.' Lillard's situation continues the Bucks' run of bad luck with postseason injuries since winning their Khris Middleton missed an entire seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the Celtics in 2022 with a sprained medial collateral ligament. Antetokounmpo bruised his lower back in Milwaukee's first playoff game in 2023 and didn't return until Game 4 of a first-round series it lost 4-1 to Miami. In the Bucks' 4-2 first-round loss to the Pacers last year,
