The Milwaukee Bucks are close to an agreement that will install Taylor Jenkins as the team’s new head coach, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Talks between the two sides have been underway for several weeks. Milwaukee reportedly viewed Jenkins as the most attractive coaching candidate on the market, valuing his track record in player development, culture building and overall competitiveness.
Coaching background
Jenkins, 39, previously served as a Bucks assistant during the 2018-19 season before taking over the Memphis Grizzlies. He went 250-214 across six seasons in Memphis and guided the Grizzlies to three playoff appearances.
State of the franchise
The Bucks missed the postseason last year, just five seasons removed from winning the 2021 NBA championship. The organization also spent much of the campaign managing issues surrounding star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo—challenges unlikely to disappear solely with a coaching change.
Coaching carousel
Milwaukee and former coach Doc Rivers parted ways after the season, and many around the league expect Rivers to return to broadcasting. A league source told Hoops Wire that Jenkins was highly sought-after and would have landed a head-coaching job elsewhere if the Bucks had not secured his services, calling him “well-respected” and “a good one.”
The agreement is expected to be finalized in the coming days.
Source: Hoops Wire
