Doc Rivers Teases Retirement As Milwaukee Bucks Struggle

Merlin sees the Bucks nearing a fork in the road as Jon Horst offered only a cautious, noncommittal update on Doc Rivers: "I won't comment on anything contractual." Rivers is under contract through 2026-27 and earns about $11 million a year, yet has publicly mused about stepping back to see family — "I have seven grandkids now" — while the team endures its worst season since 2013-14 and will miss the playoffs amid nonstop Giannis speculation. Merlin notes the tug of history and optics. Rivers’ Hall of Fame induction and long résumé give the Bucks room to decide, but the franchise must choose quickly between stability and a reset. A Riverless offseason would force a coaching search and complicate roster strategy; keeping him buys experience but raises scrutiny.