The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to rebound this summer after a disappointing season that saw them missing the NBA Playoffs. Similarly to the Houston Rockets, ownership will be looking to tackle all present issues. From management, coaching, and even talent, expect major shakeups in Milwaukee before the 2016-2017 campaign begins. According to Gery Woefel of the Racine Journal Times, head coach Jason Kidd is now on the hot seat:
I’m told Kidd, who was brought to Milwaukee by one of the team’s tri-majority owners and close friend, Marc Lasry, hasn’t endeared himself to the rest of the Bucks’ ownership group. Some think Kidd’s arrogant, some think his heart isn’t into coaching and are miffed he took off a portion of the season for hip surgery when he could have done it in the offseason. Some, most importantly, question his coaching acumen and his player personal decision-making.
Kidd is still feeling the sting of his ill-fate trade at the 2015 trading deadline when, with the Bucks seven games above .500 and well on their way to the playoffs, he jettisoned Brandon Knight, the Bucks’ best player and well-respected team leader, to Phoenix. The Bucks were never the same. They ended last season seven games under .500. This season, with thankfully just two games to play, they are a whopping 15 games under .500.
I’ve also been told by people close to the Bucks’ situation that Kidd, once the golden boy of the organization, is now on shaky ground. His future with the franchise is clearly cloudy, especially from a coaching standpoint when some highly-regarded and vastly more experienced coaches than Kidd are available. Can you say Tom Thibodeau?
Along with Jason Kidd, General Manager John Hammond is also on the verge of leaving the Milwaukee Bucks, as well. Gery Woefel continues:
A year ago, there was considerable chatter Hammond would move on, only to see him receive a one-year extension. But several NBA sources contend Hammond will soon be relocating to another zip code — either being fired or leaving on his own volition
Hammond, the Bucks’ General Manager since 2008, is set to leave the franchise in the near future. Kidd, named Head Coach in 2014, is also on the verge of being let go. That leaves just the talent of this underachieving group left, now. Woefel examines:
Toss in the fact the Bucks will again be shopping Greg Monroe, whom they signed to a max-contract as a free agent last summer, and Michael Carter-Williams, the centerpiece of the Knight deal who has struggled immensely with the Bucks, and this summer promises to be infinitely more fascinating than this debacle of a season.
In a 2015 trade deadline day deal, the Milwaukee Bucks acquired Carter-Williams from Philadelphia after sending away Brandon Knight to the Phoenix Suns. Following this deal, the Bucks finished the 2015 campaign 10-17 after starting the year 31-24.
This season, the Bucks are 33-47 and sitting at the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference. They made strides as a team last season, but have since fallen apart after dealing away Brandon Knight. As for Carter-Williams, the 24-year old out of Syracuse averaged 11.5 points per game in 54 appearances before being ruled out for the season with a torn labrum. Carter-Williams has seen career-highs this season in his field goal percentage (45%) and three point percentage (27%), respectively.
The other name mentioned here is Greg Monroe, a 6’11 power forward who joined the Bucks this past summer in free agency. When free agency started, the New York Knicks were considered front-runners to land Monroe. Surprisingly, Monroe spurned the Knicks and signed with Milwaukee on a three-year maximum contract, instead. In 77 appearances and 29.5 minutes per contest this season, Monroe has averaged 15.3 points per game on 52% shooting from the field. His rebounds and minutes per game averages are the lowest since his rookie year.
The Milwaukee Bucks have a boatload of issues to attend to. Management, coaching staff, players — Nobody is considered safe, and rightfully so. This young nucleus of a team was expected to surpass its level of play from last season and make the NBA Playoffs this spring. Rather, they find themselves watching the tournament from home and leaving ownership with no choice but to begin making much needed changes in the very near future.
