The Bucks will be in the market for a new head coach as a summer of change likely begins.
Doc Rivers is departing the franchise after a disappointing 32-50 season, ESPN reported Sunday night.
The Bucks lost their regular-season finale to the 76ers 126-120.
After the loss, Rivers, 64, cited age and wanting to spend time with his grandchildren as reasons for possibly stepping away from coaching the Bucks. He refused to make any annoucment or a retirement speech because “you never know.”
“I don’t want be Ali and keep coming back,” Rivers said.
He added that his final answer would come “sooner” rather than later.
“It’s the age,” Rivers said. “It’s a lot of things. I still love it. I do. I absolutely love coaching.”
Rivers was 97-103 over three seasons in Milwaukee, including two first-round exits and a postseason-less campaign this year. He had one year remaining on his contract.
The season included star Giannis Antetokounmpo playing just 36 games because of injuries, demanding a trade and then feuding with the organization over whether he was healthy enough to return to action. The Bucks also lost Myles Turner to injury.
“It’s hard,” Rivers said of the playoff-less season. “I don’t remember guys being out like this, but it makes sense. I haven’t had a lot of this. It’s no fun. Losing, I don’t give a crap what the reasons are, I’m just too competitive. It’s just no fun not winning. It just isn’t.”
Rivers also coached the Magic, Clippers and won a championhip with the Celtics in 2008.
— With AP
