Next Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach: Odds, Candidates & Analysis

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.

Coaching Search Updated Apr. 13, 2026
Next Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Odds
Doc Rivers out after 32-50 season — who takes over for Giannis?
Editorial projection — not live sportsbook lines. Click any row to expand analysis.
1
Taylor Jenkins Top Pick
Former Memphis Grizzlies HC · Available
+200
33.3% implied
HC Track Record
Org. Ties
Availability
Competition
The consensus frontrunner. Jenkins served as a Bucks assistant under Budenholzer in 2018-19 — the season Milwaukee reached the ECF — giving him direct organizational ties. He went 250-214 with four playoff appearances in Memphis. Multiple insiders confirm he’s already “on Milwaukee’s wish list.”
Former Bucks Asst. 250-214 as HC Confirmed Candidate High Demand
2
Darvin Ham Top Pick
Current Bucks Asst. HC · Internal Option
+325
23.5% implied
HC Track Record
Org. Ties
Availability
Competition
The only in-house option with genuine buzz. Ham is Milwaukee’s lead assistant and has prior HC experience with the Lakers (2022–24). HoopsHype confirms he’s on the team’s internal shortlist, though the Pelicans are also pursuing him — creating real competition for his services.
On Staff Now Prior HC Exp. Pelicans Competition Rivers Coaching Tree
3
James Borrego Contender
NOLA Pelicans Interim HC · Available
+500
16.7% implied
HC Track Record
Org. Ties
Availability
Competition
A perennial finalist who previously interviewed for the Milwaukee job when Adrian Griffin was hired. Borrego brings four years of HC experience in Charlotte, championship pedigree from the Spurs, and strong offensive systems. He’ll be in demand league-wide — Pelicans may retain him if their search goes that direction.
Prior HC Exp. Prev. Interviewed MIL Multi-Team Interest Spurs Pedigree
4
Sam Cassell Contender
Boston Celtics Lead Asst. · Available
+650
13.3% implied
HC Track Record
Org. Ties
Pedigree
Availability
Three-time NBA champion as a player and one of the most respected assistant coaches in the league. Cassell has been a finalist for multiple HC vacancies — including the Lakers in 2024 — but has yet to land a top job. His time under Doc Rivers gives him an indirect connection to the Bucks’ recent coaching tree.
3× NBA Champion Rivers Coaching Tree Celtics Staff Perennial Finalist
5
Mike Budenholzer Long Shot
Former Bucks HC · Available
+1200
7.7% implied
HC Track Record
Org. Ties
Complication
Availability
The man who delivered Milwaukee’s 2021 championship — and was inexplicably let go two years later. Budenholzer has since coached the Suns (fired after the Big Three flopped) and remains available. A reunion would be dramatic given the organization’s post-Bud spiral, but the complicated history cuts both ways.
2021 NBA Champion Complicated History Available Reunion Scenario
6
Micah Nori Long Shot
Minnesota Timberwolves Asst. · Available
+2000
4.8% implied
HC Track Record
Dev. Upside
Availability
Risk Factor
A rising name in NBA circles who gets significant credit for Minnesota’s player development system. He has interviewed for head coaching jobs before but remains unproven at the top level — a higher-upside, higher-risk option if Milwaukee enters a full rebuild mode.
Rising Candidate Rebuild Fit Player Dev. Guru
7
The Field Long Shot
Any Other Candidate · TBD
+1400
6.7% implied
Milwaukee’s search is just getting started and the coaching carousel is deep. Other names that could surface include Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn, college coaches, or first-time candidates who make strong impressions in the process. With Giannis’ future uncertain, the Bucks’ situation may also attract a big-name surprise.
Chris Quinn College Coaches Wildcards Draft?
Key Context
Status: Doc Rivers fired. GM Jon Horst leading search. No timeline set.
Giannis Factor: Antetokounmpo has 2 years left. HC hire is a cornerstone of his retention pitch.
Season Result: 32-50 record. Missed playoffs. Second straight early exit under Rivers.
Competition: Pelicans, Nets also searching. Jenkins, Borrego, Ham all in demand.
Editorial odds · Updated Apr. 13, 2026 (post-Doc Rivers firing)

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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