Report: Bucks to hire Taylor Jenkins as head coach

The Bucks and Taylor Jenkins are finalizing a deal that will make Jenkins the franchise’s next head coach, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Jenkins and the Bucks have been in talks for several weeks, and per Charania, Milwaukee viewed him “as the top available commodity in the NBA coaching landscape, and his player development pedigree, tenure as a culture-setter and someone who drives competitiveness made him the Bucks’ top target.”

Jenkins, a Bucks assistant in 2018-19, is the former coach of the Grizzlies, where he compiled a 250-214 record. Memphis made the playoffs three times in Jenkins’ six seasons.

The Bucks are coming off a year in which they missed the postseason entirely, just five years after winning the NBA championship. They also spent most of the year dealing with Giannis Antetokounmpo — something that isn’t likely to end with Jenkins’ addition alone.

Milwaukee and coach Doc Rivers parted ways after the season. Many across the NBA expect Rivers to return to broadcasting.

As for the Bucks, they will march forward with Jenkins. As one league source told Hoops Wire, if Jenkins didn’t end up in Milwaukee, he would’ve ended up somewhere.

“He’s that well-respected,” the source said. “He’s a good one.”