The Milwaukee Bucks took their time before announcing Doc Rivers as their new coach. That is not to say that Rivers and the front management were not working behind the scenes to build his coaching staff in Milwaukee.
According to various sources, the Bucks are on the verge of hiring former Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings coach Dave Joerger as an assistant on Rivers’ coaching staff.
Joerger was first rumored last week to be “under consideration” as an assistant coach with the Bucks. Adrian Wojnarowski, an NBA expert for ESPN, broke the news.
One high-level assistant coach available and under consideration to rejoin Doc Rivers in Milwaukee: Dave Joerger, sources tell ESPN. Joerger — former head coach with Memphis and Sacramento— spent three seasons with Rivers in Philadelphia.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 24, 2024
The Athletic’s Shams Charania followed up with a follow-up story indicating that Joerger was already in the final stages of his contract negotiations with the Bucks:
Between 2013 to 2016, Joerger served as the Grizzlies’ head coach during three seasons. He was the team’s assistant coach for six seasons before to this.
Following his time in Memphis, Joerger was appointed as head coach of the Kings, where he remained for three seasons. He was subsequently appointed as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2020, where he spent the previous three years under Doc Rivers.
Former Grizzlies and Kings head coach Dave Joerger is finalizing a deal to join Doc Rivers’ Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/Hb8d5kN4tu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 26, 2024
Dave Joerger, head coach of the Sacramento Kings, reacts to the Brooklyn Nets in the fourth quarter at Barclays Center on January 21, 2019. Nicole Sweet of USA TODAY Sports is required to provide credit.
It’s also worth mentioning that, in addition to Joerger, the Bucks are adding experienced assistant coach Rex Kalamian to the roster. This report is coming from Woj:
Doc Rivers is hiring longtime NBA assistant Rex Kalamian for his Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff, sources tell ESPN. Kalamian has been working as a scout with the Nets this season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2024
The Bucks are wasting no time in expanding Rivers’ coaching staff as they prepare to go all out in the second half of the season.
