The Milwaukee Bucks have added another name to their search for John Hammond’s replacement as general manager.
Current director of basketball operations Jon Horst interviewed for the opening, with many in the organization reportedly considering him a serious candidate.
League sources say Jon Horst has emerged as an increasingly serious Bucks GM candidate after working under former Bucks GM John Hammond
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 16, 2017
Hammond, who served as the team’s GM for nearly a decade, skipped town and signed a five-year deal with the Orlando Magic.
The hole left by Hammond’s move led to an expansive search for his replacement which saw a consulting firm reaching out to a number of big names including former Sixers GM Ed Stefanski, former Hawks GM Wes Wilcox and Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon.
That was nearly two weeks ago, and the Bucks don’t seem to be anywhere closer to announcing a hiring.
This latest wrinkle in the seemingly endless general manager search comes on the heels of Arturas Karnisovas being promoted to general manager of the Denver Nuggets.
Karnisovas, according to Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski, was one of two finalists tabbed to lead the up-and-coming organization, along with Bucks interim general manager Justin Zanik.
W/ Karnisovas and Bucks assistant GM Justin Zanik finalists, Milwaukee has yet to extend offer for GM job. Karnisovas withdrew in last hour. https://t.co/umWIbSsQwi
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 14, 2017
After the surprising promotion of Karnisovas in Denver, many predicted Zanik would likely become the de facto front runner.
Zanik, who was hired last season as assistant general manager, was often referred to as the general manager-in waiting as the future of John Hammond got progressively more and more murky.
The Bucks continuing to drag their feet in making an official hire doesn’t appear to bode well for Zanik.
ESPN Milwaukee’s Eric Nehm said he believes that there is doubt about Zanik being the main decision maker in Milwaukee.
Only thing clear: There is some doubt in the Bucks organization about Zanik. They've had numerous chances to hire him and have not done so. https://t.co/0TJniCMWBn
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) June 16, 2017
Horst had worked with previous GM John Hammond for many years. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, who originally broke the news about Horst’s surprise interview, Hammond had originally attempted to lure Horst to the sunshine state.
Now Jon Horst -- who John Hammond wanted to bring to Orlando -- is contending for GM alongside Zanik, who is heading Milwaukee's draft prep
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 16, 2017
The bungling of the GM hiring process is not a good look for an ownership group that has looked unorganized at times, to say the least.
There have been a handful of miscommunications and hiccups in the organization since the team was purchased from Herb Kohl by Wes Eden and Marc Lasry.
The new ownership group made national headlines for the Jason Kidd trade that brought the coach to Milwaukee while Larry Drew was still employed — possibly against the wishes of the aforementioned Hammond.
The timing of the latest interview is not a good look for an organization looking to turn the corner from the Herb Kohl years.
With the NBA Draft days away and an important deadline regarding center Greg Monroe’s player option, a lack of a main decision maker is not what most organizations would consider a win.
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As the Bucks continue to interview more candidates, it appears we get further and further from knowing who will be calling the shots in the Cream City.