Sixers rumors: Doc Rivers could be offseason head coaching target

When the Philadelphia 76ers lost in the second round, it was easy to mark Ben Simmons as the scapegoat, and rightfully so. However, he was the only person who should shoulder the blame for the playoff disappointment.

Some of the blame needs to go on head coach Doc Rivers and there has been doubt surrounding Rivers’ coaching ability in Philly since that debacle. This season hasn’t been without its poor decisions either and now there’s even more fuel to fire about a possible Rivers’ departure this offseason.

Is it possible that Rivers won’t coach the Sixers next season?

According to Jake Fisher of Bleacher Report, there are rumors that there’s interest in Rivers by the Los Angeles Lakers and potentially the Utah Jazz.

This is certainly not the type of rumors that the 76ers want floating around as they prepare for the postseason, however, it makes sense on the surface. Especially, in the Lakers’ case with the likely departure of current head coach Frank Vogel. The Lakers have a team full of veterans and Rivers clearly is a veteran player’s coach.

To be clear, in order for Rivers to go take another job, he would have to be let go by Philly first which is yet to be seen. If the Sixers falter and do not make it out of the first or possibly second round, Rivers could be let go.

It’s fair to argue that’s he’s already on the hot seat. He was outcoached in the playoffs last year, has made questionable rotation decisions, and won’t play young players outside of Tyrese Maxey on a regular basis. On top of that, the James Harden acquisition adds more pressure to win now.

If he fails in the playoffs again, the front office would be justified in moving on from the head coach. This could end up being nothing, but if Rivers fails to have this Sixers team make a deep run, then it’s possible these rumors become reality.