The Milwaukee Bucks took steps last year in the offseason that set up the future young core of this team for years to come. With extending Giannis’ and John Henson’s contracts and signing for Greg Monroe, the Bucks seemed to be on the road to a successful season, but after some set backs in the regular season, did not make the Playoffs. Under Head Coach Jason Kidd, the Bucks went 33-49 this year, good for 12th in the Eastern Conference.
Despite not having the season they wanted, Jason Kidd will be returning next year as Bucks coach. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:
“The Bucks are moving toward a contract extension with Kidd as coach, league sources said.”
The confirmation that Kidd will be returning as Coach is as a result of the new hiring of their assistant GM, Justin Zanik. The Current GM, John Hammond, is said to be passing on the torch to Zanik who will be preparing to take on the role of Bucks GM soon. Yahoo Sports reports:
The Milwaukee Bucks are hiring Utah Jazz executive Justin Zanik as the franchise’s general manager-in-waiting, league sources told The Vertical.
Zanik, an assistant general manager with Utah, will join the Bucks with a similar job title – and an agreement that he will eventually become the successor to Milwaukee GM John Hammond, sources said.
Zanik has constructed a strong reputation within the league as a front-office executive and previously a player agent. Milwaukee was aggressive in pursuing him to eventually lead the franchise’s basketball operations.Hammond was part of the Bucks’ ownership process that identified Zanik and recruited him to Milwaukee, league sources said.
The Former Utah executive will be moving into the Bucks new arena along with Jason Kidd, in hopes of bringing change to an organization that definitely needs some. With Jason Kidd’s coaching and the talent of the young core of the Bucks, they are poised to become a potential contender in the East, and I hope they make that jump.
