Doc Rivers said recent speculation about his retirement is premature after Stephen A. Smith claimed earlier this week on SiriusXM that the Milwaukee Bucks coach plans to step away from the sidelines after the season, a report Rivers quickly brushed aside.
“No, I’m not getting into that,” the Bucks head coach commented, via The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.
“I think he feels that way, but not for me.”
Stephen A. Smith brought it up while responding to a caller who asked whether Doc Rivers could serve as a mentor to Ja Morant if the standout guard were ever to join the Bucks.
“Doc Rivers is gonna retire at the end of this season,” commented the veteran NBA insider. “He’s been coaching for close to 25 years. This is it for him.”
Doc Rivers with the Bucks
Mar 2, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) comes out of the game near the end of the second quarter and walks past Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers as they compete against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Rivers, 64, is under contract with the Milwaukee Bucks through the 2026–27 season at roughly $10 million. He holds a career record of 1,188–851 and earlier this season passed George Karl for sixth place on the NBA’s all-time regular-season wins list. Rivers is also a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Now in his 27th season as an NBA head coach, however, his reputation has taken a hit in recent years. Along with a history of playoff disappointments, Rivers has struggled in Milwaukee, compiling a 91–88 (.508) record with no playoff series victories since taking over in 2024. That includes a difficult current season in which the Bucks sit at 26–35, five games out of the play-in race.
Nov 26, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers watches from the sideline against the Miami Heat during the second half of an NBA Cup game at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, the Bucks are dealing with more immediate problems than speculation about retirement. Milwaukee holds a 26-35 record and sits outside the Eastern Conference playoff race, while Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed close to half the season. As Doc Rivers noted, the numbers paint a clear picture.