Milwaukee Bucks: 5 candidates to replace Jason Kidd as coach
Jason Kidd was fired on Monday and these are five candidates who could be the next head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Reports of internal tension going back a couple years bore fruit on Monday, as the Milwaukee Bucks fired head coach Jason Kidd. They are 23-22 this season and clinging to the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference with four losses in their last five games.
Assistant coach Joe Prunty will take over as the interim head coach, starting Monday night against the Phoenix Suns. But a head start on a broader search for a new permanent head coach can get going, and with a young star in Giannis “The Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo around the Bucks’ job will be a coveted one.
General manager Jon Horst cited the need for a fresh approach via a statement regarding Kidd’s departure, which may mean candidates that will bring Milwaukee’s three-point proficiency (34.9 percent this season; 27th in the league) and frequency (24.6 attempts per game this season; 26th in the league) going forward to at least league average level. Having better shooters would help, but that’s another conversation.
Multiple indications of fractured relationships within the organization finally doomed Kidd, but Antetokounmpo was apparently not among them.
Bucks made move on Kidd based upon dropping into the 8th seed in the East, frayed relationships in organization and general non-alignment, league sources tell ESPN. Bucks job will be most sought after of offseason, largely because of @Giannis_An34.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 22, 2018
Not sure how much his relationship w/ Jabari factored in but was told they weren’t speaking. https://t.co/PsibxRwUms
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) January 22, 2018
Sources: Jason Kidd hasn’t been officially told yet. Giannis Antetokounmpo is devastated. https://t.co/FGaqQybJtn
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 22, 2018
Besides Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker will be returning from a torn ACL soon and if he can stay healthy he’s got star potential. Add in Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, Malcolm Brogdon, John Henson and Thon Maker, and Milwaukee’s roster has a solid base of talent that does not need an overhaul to make a dent in the East.
Looking ahead to the offseason, here are five candidates to be the next Bucks’ head coach.
5. Maurice Cheeks
Cheeks is in his third season back with the Oklahoma City Thunder as an assistant under Billy Donovan, after spending four seasons there under Scott Brooks from 2009-2013. In between was a one season stint with the Detroit Pistons in 2013-14, including 50 games as interim head coach.
Kidd’s calling card was defense, but the Bucks are tied for 24th in Defensive Rating (107.5) despite having the likes of defensive-capable players like @Giannis_An34, @Khris22m and newly acquired @EBled2.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) January 22, 2018
Cheeks has a 305-315 record (.492 winning percentage) over all or part of nine seasons as an NBA head coach, with the Portland Trail Blazers (2001-2005), Philadelphia 76ers (2005-2009) and the Pistons. So maybe he’s just best suited to be an assistant, but his defensive acumen as a player (fifth all-time in steals) would surely help the Bucks improve on that end of the floor.