NBA Rumors: LeBron retirement a diversion, Giannis’ coach pick, Pistons godfather offer rebuffed
NBA Rumors: Bucks narrow coaching search to 3 finalists… and Giannis has a favorite
Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks getting bounced in the first round of the NBA Playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, it was still quite the shock that head coach Mike Budenholzer was ousted thereafter.
But alas, that’s the reality in the Cream City and, as such, the front office has been in search of a new coach for the past few weeks. After extensively interviewing candidates, though, the Bucks reportedly have it down to three. NBA insider Marc Stein noted in his latest newsletter (subscription required) that Nick Nurse, Kenny Atkinson and Adrian Griffin are the three finalists to take up the clipboard on the Milwaukee sideline.
Those all appear to be quality options and names that are hot commodities in the NBA’s coaching carousel this offseason. But more importantly than that, Stein also reported that Giannis will have a big part in the franchise’s selection of the next head coach. More important than that, it was specifically noted that Antetokounmpo is “intrigued” by Adrian Griffin.
Frankly, the fact that Griffin, a former player and current Raptors assistant, is the favorite choice of Giannis ultimately makes it sound like he’s the favorite to be the next Bucks head coach. The fact of the matter is that, even if the front office is somewhat split on Griffin being the choice, the ultimate goal of the organization is to make sure Antetokounmpo is happy and happy for a long time.
With him being involved in this search and having a preferred option, that matters immensely.