Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers says talk of his retirement is a little premature.
Rivers responded Friday to comments made earlier this week by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who said on SiriusXM radio that Rivers plans to step away from coaching after this season.
Rivers was not buying it.
“No, I’m not getting into that,” he said, via The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “I think he feels that way, but not for me.”
Smith made the remark while taking a caller question about whether Rivers could help mentor Ja Morant if Morant were somehow to land in Milwaukee.
“Doc Rivers is gonna retire at the end of this season,” Smith said. “He’s been coaching for close to 25 years. This is it for him.”
Rivers, 64, remains under contract through the 2026-27 season.
He currently owns a career record of 1,188-851 and earlier this season moved past 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.
Meanwhile, the Bucks have bigger issues than retirement rumors.
Milwaukee sits at 26-35 and outside the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, with Giannis Antetokounmpo missing nearly half the season. As Rivers put it, the numbers tell the story.
“We’re 25th either way,” he said. “That’s not a good sign.”
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
