Next Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach: Odds, Candidates & Analysis

By Bookies.com Staff

Apr 13th, 2026 10:07 AM EDT

Giannis Antetokounmpo waves towards fans at Fiserv Forum (USATODAY)

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The Milwaukee Bucks parted ways with Doc Rivers on Sunday after a miserable 32-50 finish to the 2025-26 NBA season, launching what is now the franchise's third head coaching search in the past three years. The move ends a tenure defined more by dysfunction than development -- and leaves Milwaukee facing a pivotal offseason clouded by the uncertain future of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Rivers, who ranks sixth all-time in regular-season coaching wins, went 97-103 in Milwaukee and was unable to win a playoff series in any of his three seasons. The final straw came during a late-season team meeting in which, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, Rivers told players to look up his résumé -- a moment that "rubbed large parts of the locker room the wrong way" and crystallized a season-long disconnect between coach and players. Rivers and the franchise are now discussing a potential transition to an advisory role.

So who fills the seat as the next Bucks coach? Here's how the candidates stack up, with odds you won't find at US betting apps.

Jenkins Favorite For Next Bucks Coach

Taylor Jenkins (+200) is the clear frontrunner. Jenkins served as a Bucks assistant under Mike Budenholzer in 2018-19 and has "already emerged as a likely prime candidate," per Marc Stein. He led Memphis to a 250-214 record with four playoff appearances across six seasons before parting ways with the Grizzlies in 2025. At just 41 years old, he's the ideal profile for a franchise that needs youth, energy, and a coherent system. Also, Memphis took a serious step back this season without him.

Darvin Ham Strong Internal Bucks Option

Darvin Ham (+325) represents the most intriguing internal option. Ham is currently on the Bucks' staff and is described by league sources as an internal candidate — though the Pelicans are also pursuing him this summer. His existing familiarity with Milwaukee's roster and culture could make a transition seamless, assuming he can overcome the baggage of a rough, but not awful, tenure as Lakers head coach.

Ham went 90-74 in two years in L.A., including a run to the Western Conference Finals in his first season.

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Other Contenders For Bucks Job

James Borrego (+500) brings real HC experience and genuine Milwaukee ties — he previously interviewed for the Bucks' head coaching job when Adrian Griffin was hired and has been a finalist for multiple vacancies in recent cycles. He went 24-46 as an interim in New Orleans this past season and will be a candidate for several openings. Borrego went 43-39 in his final season as Hornets head coach in the 2021-22 season.

Sam Cassell (+650), meanwhile, brings championship credibility as both a player and Boston's lead assistant, while Mike Budenholzer (+1200) remains a wild-card reunion candidate -- the man who won Milwaukee's only title in 2021 is available, but the circumstances of his departure make a return awkward. Budenholzer was one-and-done in Phoenix last season, as well.

With the search just getting started, The Field (+1400) can't be ruled out. Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn is one name to watch among a pool of candidates that could deepen quickly -- especially if Milwaukee's Giannis situation pushes the front office toward a less conventional hire.

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