The Bucks are interested in hiring Jenkins as their new head coach! Both sides have discussed team-building direction, and the Magic might also pursue him.

On April 21 Beijing time, league sources revealed to The Athletic: The Milwaukee Bucks have serious interest in hiring Taylor Jenkins as their next head coach. It is reported that team owners Wes Edens and Jimmy Haslam, along with general manager Jon Horst, traveled to Memphis early last week. Jenkins still resides locally with his family, and the Bucks management's trip was specifically to meet with him regarding the head coaching vacancy and discuss his vision for building the team's future.

No agreement has been reached yet, and contract terms have not been discussed, but another meeting is expected soon to further negotiate the head coaching position. Jenkins, 41 years old, served as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies from 2019 to 2025, achieving a record of 250 wins and 214 losses with a 53.9% win rate. During his six seasons, the Grizzlies made the playoffs four times; notably, the 2021-22 season saw a franchise-best 56 wins, advancing to the Western Conference semifinals.

Unfortunately, Jenkins did not complete his final playoff run with the team: they parted ways abruptly with just nine games remaining in the regular season.

Before becoming head coach in Memphis, Jenkins served as an assistant coach under Mike Budenholzer with the Bucks during the 2018-19 season. That season, the Bucks achieved 60 wins and reached the Eastern Conference Finals. Jenkins is widely regarded as a top candidate in the current coaching market, so it remains uncertain whether he will prioritize accepting the Bucks' offer or wait for other head coaching opportunities. For instance, if the Orlando Magic decide to dismiss Jamahl Mosley, Jenkins would also be a potential target for their head coach position.

The Bucks finished this season with only 32 wins and 50 losses, missing the playoffs, marking their first absence since the 2015-16 season. Doug Rivers resigned voluntarily after the season ended, prompting the Bucks to begin their search for a new head coach.

Rivers took over from Adrian Griffin in January 2024, recording a 97-103 record over his two-and-a-half-year tenure with the Bucks.

Due to prolonged injuries to core players Damian Lillard and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks were eliminated early in the playoffs during Rivers' first two full seasons.

In the final week of the season, Bucks GM Horst told local media that Rivers handled a difficult situation—with the team plagued by injuries and rumors swirling about Giannis' future—with "experienced and adept" leadership.

Nevertheless, Rivers still chose to resign after the season concluded.

Horst also acknowledged that the team faces a critical decision: whether to continue building around Giannis as the absolute core or trade the ten-time All-Star forward before the new season begins.