Doc Rivers Signals Coaching Exit; Wembanyama Wins Media Honor, Morant Invests in French Club
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Doc Rivers indicated his coaching career may be over during an appearance on “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” days after resigning as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. “I’d be surprised if I coached another game,” the 64-year-old told Simmons, adding that he wants time for family after 47 years in basketball without a break. Rivers, who will enter the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, compiled a 1,194-866 regular-season record (.580) across 27 NBA seasons.
Awards Ballots Released
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports and Tim Bontemps of ESPN published their full 2026 NBA awards ballots. Both listed the same top five in Most Valuable Player voting—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham—though in different orders. O’Connor placed Wembanyama first, followed by Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić, while Bontemps chose Gilgeous-Alexander for a second consecutive MVP, with Jokić second and Wembanyama third.
Playoff X-Factors Identified
In a separate Yahoo Sports article, O’Connor highlighted one “X-factor” for each playoff team. Players cited included Celtics center Neemias Queta, Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson and Spurs guard Dylan Harper.
Wembanyama Receives Magic Johnson Award
The Professional Basketball Writers Association named San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama the 2025/26 recipient of the Magic Johnson Award, which recognizes on-court excellence combined with professionalism in dealings with media and fans. Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell finished second for the second year in a row, and Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Celtics guard Jaylen Brown and Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo rounded out the finalist group.
Morant Buys Stake in Metropolitans 92
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has purchased an ownership stake in Metropolitans 92, Victor Wembanyama’s former French club. “They represent the culture, just like we do,” Morant told ClutchPoints, noting he made the investment through his media and business venture firm, Catch12.
Source: Hoops Rumors
