"Bucks paid him approximately $40 million" - NBA analyst downplays 'hot seat' concerns for Doc Rivers despite Milwaukee's slump

An NBA analyst downplayed concerns about Doc Rivers and his position as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks due to their poor start to the season. The Bucks dropped to 2-8 following Sunday's loss to the Boston Celtics. Rivers has an overall record of 19-27 since taking over Milwaukee midway through last season.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Bucks are unlikely to make changes with their core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton. Amick also doesn't see the front office letting go of Rivers, who they signed to a three-year, $40 million deal to replace Adrian Griffin.

"I don't see anything changing," Amick said. "For those asking about whether Rivers could be on the hot seat, let's not forget the Bucks paid him approximately $40 million on a three-and-a-half-year deal less than a year ago."

Amick added that Bucks GM Jon Horst is also under pressure and that he might not have the go-ahead from ownership to make another coaching change.

Milwaukee Bucks beat writer Erik Nehm, who also works for The Athletic, added that things will get easier for the team considering their schedule. Doc Rivers and the Bucks will get a chance to find their rhythm at home, where they will play eight of their next 11 games. Nine of those games will be against East teams currently under .500.

The only two teams with an above .500 record in the Bucks' next 11 games are the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers. The Rockets look really good early in the season, while the Pacers are still inconsistent to start a winning streak.

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Rival execs wonder if Doc Rivers will end up in the Bucks' front office

Will Doc Rivers end up in the Bucks front office? (Photo: IMAGN)

In the same piece on The Atheltic, Sam Amick and Eric Nehm continued discussing Doc Rivers and the Milwaukee Bucks situation. Amick cited sources within the NBA saying that Rivers might end up in the Bucks front office if things don't get easier.

"There are rival executives who wonder if Rivers might wind up in the Bucks' front office down the line," Amick said. "They can fix all of that messiness by winning, but that’s proving to be quite the challenging task."

Amick added that current general manager Jon Horst expressed interest in taking over the Detroit Pistons last season. The Pistons ended up hiring Trajan Langdon, who has done a good job in his first few months on the job.

As for Rivers, he was formerly the president of basketball operations for the LA Clippers from 2014 to 2017.