Adrian Griffin’s Million-Dollar Coaching Gamble: Bucks Bid Farewell, But the Net Worth Payday Stays
In a surprising twist, the Milwaukee Bucks bid farewell to their head coach, Adrian Griffin, earlier this week. A move that left many scratching their heads, especially considering the Bucks’ impressive 30-13 record, tied for the second-best in the NBA at the time.
Hold on, soon I will reveal his net worth.
To the casual observer, the decision seemed abrupt and somewhat perplexing, but signs of discord had been lurking beneath the surface for a while.
Terry Stotts, Griffin’s top assistant, had resigned before the team’s final preseason game, hinting at internal turbulence. Front office executives began closely scrutinizing Griffin during practices, and the unexpected advisory role handed to Doc Rivers six weeks into the season only fueled speculation.
Doc Rivers, who now conveniently steps into Griffin’s shoes as Milwaukee’s head coach, boasts an impressive coaching résumé, including two NBA Finals appearances and a championship win with the 2008 Boston Celtics.
The most glaring issue for Griffin was the apparent loss of control in the locker room. The staff and players alike sensed that he might not be the guiding force to lead them to a championship.
While debates about whether Rivers is the answer are already brewing on Reddit and Twitter, there’s no denying his proven track record on the grandest stage.
But what’s next for Griffin? Despite the recent setback, he’s likely to find himself on another NBA bench, possibly in an assistant coaching role.
However, even if he decides to take a break from coaching, Griffin is set to enjoy a significant financial windfall from his brief stint as the Bucks’ head coach.
When Griffin inked his coaching deal, The Athletic reported a lucrative agreement, exceeding $4 million per season, extending through 2026-27. This means the total value of the contract surpasses a whopping $12 million. Barring any undisclosed buyout agreement, Griffin is poised to receive the entire contracted amount.
For context, Basketball Reference reveals that Griffin earned a total of $7,544,728 during his nine-season NBA playing career. This figure includes his salary during his first year as an assistant coach – a role that’s irrelevant in the current scenario but interestingly ties back to the Bucks.
To put this financial shift into perspective, Griffin’s most lucrative single playing season saw him earn $1,593,000. However, this was during his final year in the league, where he played in just 35 games, splitting time between the Chicago Bulls and Seattle Supersonics.
Now, with the coaching gig, Griffin stands to pocket more than $7.5 million for 43 games and three years – a remarkable turnaround from his playing days.
This unexpected financial windfall serves as a testament to Griffin’s strategic move into coaching. While his playing career had its highs, coaching, even for a brief period, has proven more financially rewarding. The lesson here is clear – sometimes, working smarter, not harder, pays off. Griffin might have lost the coaching gig, but he’s undeniably winning in the bank.