Paying an NBA head coach is quite expensive. But after his latest hire, the Bucks are on the hook for not one, not two, but three coaching salaries.
Milwaukee made the surprising decision to fire Adrian Griffin earlier this week and then replaced him with Doc Rivers. Griffin lasted just 43 games as head coach after replacing Mike Budenholzer in the offseason.
With a new contract in place for Rivers, that means the Bucks will pay for three head coaches in 2024, but two are no longer leading the team. It also doesn’t end after the 2023-24 season, as Rivers, Griffin and Budenholzer will also be on Milwaukee’s books for next season.
Below is how much money the Bucks pay each coach.
Doc Rivers Contract
The contracts of NBA head coaches can be difficult to track, as the league does not publicly disclose their salaries.
But The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Thursday that Rivers’ contract with Milwaukee is expected to be around $40 million. Rivers is signed through the 2026-27 season.
Sources: Doc Rivers is signing a contract through the 2026-27 season worth approximately $40 million to be the head coach of the Bucks. Milwaukee is paying former coaches Mike Budenholzer and Adrian Griffin, and now Rivers, for the next 3.5 years. pic.twitter.com/TJNafNFms9
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 25, 2024
As the deal runs for four seasons (technically three and a half, since he joined midway through the 2023-24 season), Rivers is anticipated to earn approximately $10 million per year.
Adrian Griffin Contract
The Griffin era in Milwaukee ended before it could really begin.
The 49-year-old only played 43 games as head coach before the board decided to make a change. Despite leading the team to a 30-13 record, there were numerous instances of confusion within the locker room, including the sudden departure of assistant coach Terry Stotts before the regular season and a reported argument with Bobby Portis.
While Griffin won’t be coaching the team, the Bucks will still pay him. Milwaukee is obligated to pay Griffin through the 2026-27 season, the same duration as Rivers’ new contract.
The Athletic reported at the time of his hiring that Griffin would receive approximately $4 million annually. So even after this season, Milwaukee has to pay an additional $12 million to Griffin over the next three seasons.
Mike Budenholzer contract
Budenholzer’s deal will be the first off the books for the Bucks. But that won’t be until after the 2024-25 season.
When the Bucks lost in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, speculation began to arise about Budenholzer’s job security. A few weeks later, he was fired.
After the playoff loss, Charania reported that Budenholzer had two years left on his contract and was owed $16 million in total.
“Mike Budenholzer’s status as Bucks head coach is very shaky, there are questions throughout the organization… I’m told Budenholzer has two years and $16 million left on his contract.”
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on Milwaukee following their disappointing playoff exit. pic.twitter.com/WhmEtPNR5R
– The Rally (@TheRally) April 27, 2023
So that would mean he will be paid approximately $8 million this season and an additional $8 million next season before the Bucks terminate his contract.
