Taylor Jenkins Lands Bucks Job as NBA Coaching Carousel Keeps Spinning in Chicago and New Orleans

The Milwaukee Bucks finally ended the suspense on Thursday. After Doc Rivers walked away from the job following the regular season, the franchise is finalizing a deal to bring in Taylor Jenkins as the new head coach, according to ESPN sources. Milwaukee becomes the first team to fill its coaching vacancy in what's shaping up to be a wild offseason on the sidelines.

But the Bucks aren't alone in their search. The Chicago Bulls just watched Billy Donovan step down earlier this week, and the New Orleans Pelicans have been hunting for a coach since Willie Green got fired back in November. That's three major NBA jobs up for grabs, and things are just getting started.

What Makes the Bucks Job Actually Interesting

Look, on the surface a 32-50 season isn't exactly sexy. But here's the thing: if Giannis Antetokounmpo is still there next season, Jenkins is inheriting one of the best players on the planet to build around. That's not a bad foundation for a new coach.

And if Giannis gets moved? Well, that's actually when it gets intriguing. A trade involving him could completely reshape Milwaukee's roster and asset sheet, giving Jenkins some real options to work with on the rebuild. Either way, it's not the worst situation to walk into.

The Rest of the Carousel Waits

Chicago and New Orleans are still sorting through their options. With Milwaukee now off the board, those two franchises are the main attractions for coaches looking for work this offseason. Jon Horst has been leading the Bucks since June 2017, and now he gets to see what Jenkins can do with the hand he's been dealt.

The NBA coaching carousel is in full swing, and we're about to find out who lands where.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.