The Milwaukee Bucks fired head coach Mike Nudenholzer just two years after winning an NBA championship. While the Bucks’ coaching search is only beginning, a new report suggests the coveted job could lead to another head coach leaving his job for the Bucks.
Milwaukee is an extremely attractive landing spot for prospective NBA coaches. Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have won 50-plus games in four of the last five seasons and they won the NBA Finals in the one year when they didn’t reach the 50-win mark.
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With Antetokounmpo seemingly committed to the franchise long-term and ownership willing to spend the money required to be a perennial championship contender, Milwaukee offers the top NBA head-coaching vacancy in years.
According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, the Bucks’ coaching search includes the front office “considering currently employed NBA head coaches” to replace Budenholzer.
As Nehm details, a variety of factors will play into Milwakee’s decision. Among them is how Antetokounmpo feels about the Bucks coaching candidates and the next head coach being able to build a great relationship with general manager Jon Horst.
“I think more than anything, I learned the value of having a great partner. The value of having alignment and the ability to work day in and day out toward a common goal means everything. And now the challenge and task will be to find someone that frankly brings a lot of the same things, but also can add to what we have, can bring a different view.”
Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst on the coaching search, what he’s looking for
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Nehm doesn’t go into specifics about which current NBA head coach Milwaukee could pursue. It’s also more challenging to draw connections because Horst joined the Bucks’ organization in 2008 and his only time outside of Milwaukee came during a brief stint with the Detroit Pistons (2007-’08). As a result, there are no standout connections he has with other organizations.
The Bucks likely won’t be able to land top head coaches like Mike Brown (Sacramento Kings), Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors), Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs) or Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat).
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One name to possibly keep in mind is Mike Malone of the Denver Nuggets. NBA rumors previously hinted that he could be on the hot seat if Denver doesn’t reach the Western Conference Finals. If that happened, it’s possible Malone could be on the Bucks’ short list of coaching targets.