Feb 20, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Larry Drew reacts to a call during the game against the Miami Heat during the first half at Philips Arena. The Heat defeated the Hawks 103-90. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Bucks added their first two assistants to head coach Larry Drew’s staff:  Bob Bender and Nick Van Exel, both of whom worked with Drew in Atlanta.

While Bender (above, mustard-colored suit) sat a little closer to the head coaching seat in Atlanta and has more experience than Van Exel (including an assistant coaching gig under Mike Krzyzewski in the mid-to-late 1980s), Van Exel has the advantage of an NBA player’s background, a fact not lost on Drew in the Bucks’ press release:

“Bob and Nick were both important pieces of my staff in Atlanta, and I’m excited that they are joining me on the bench in Milwaukee,” said Drew. “Bob’s merits as a coach have been proven through his past experience, and Nick’s successful career in the NBA gives him a strong platform to mentor and coach our players. They will be dedicated to the task of teaching and building up our young men in order for the Bucks to put a hard-working, committed team on the court.”

Look for more coaches to be added to the staff in the coming weeks.

Apr 28, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Monta Ellis (right) drives for the basket against Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (eft) in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

According to Chris Broussard of ESPN, Monta Ellis turned down the one-year, $11 million player option remaining on his contract.

Sources: Monte Ellis has told Bucks he is opting out of the 1-year, $11 million left on his contract. Will become coveted free agent

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 17, 2013

Ellis previously turned down an extension that would have paid him $11.8 million for 2014-15 and $13 million for 2015-16 in addition to the year he already had in place as a player option.  He will now be an unrestricted free agent.

There were reports a few weeks ago that Ellis would like to play for Mike Malone, who recently became the head coach of the Sacramento Kings.