Ramona Shelburne
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Ramona Shelburne
ESPN Senior Writer
- Senior writer for ESPN.com
- Spent seven years at the Los Angeles Daily News
Multiple Authors
The Milwaukee Bucks are finalizing a deal to hire Taylor Jenkins as the franchise’s new head coach, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
Jenkins, a Bucks assistant under Mike Budenholzer in 2018-19, went 250-214 as the all-time winningest coach in Memphis Grizzlies history and made three playoff appearances across six seasons with the franchise before being fired in March, 2025. The Bucks’ brass, including ownership, met in person with Jenkins last week in Memphis and on Tuesday in Milwaukee to secure his commitment, sources said.
Jenkins was seen 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.
The Bucks finished 32-50 this season and snapped a streak of nine consecutive years in the playoffs.
Jenkins will enter the head coaching job after the ouster of Doc Rivers, who went 97-103 across three seasons in Milwaukee, and amid significant questions about the Bucks’ direction, including the future of star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
When asked about his future earlier this month, Antetokounmpo didn’t close the door on signing another extension in October if it’s offered to him.
“That’s a very good question,” Antetokounmpo said when asked whether he has played his last game in a Milwaukee uniform. “I don’t know. It’s not up to me. We’ll see.”
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