Milwaukee Bucks: 10 potential head coaching candidates

Becky Hammon

Hammon may be one of the most interesting options of all for the Bucks’ head coaching job, as she combines the skills needed for the team to take the next step, and a broader appeal that would intrigue ownership too.

Milwaukee’s owners have shown a taste for making a splash, and hiring the first female head coach in the NBA would certainly deliver on that front. Most importantly of all, Hammon has the credentials to deliver as much more than a publicity move.

As a six-time WNBA All-Star, Hammon brings the same kind of experience and know-how rooted in playing at a very high level that Kidd had when ownership hired him, but rather than making a sudden jump into head coaching based on name alone, Hammon has been quietly earning her coaching stripes over the last few years, readying herself for her big opportunity.

Hammon became the first full-time female assistant coach in the NBA when she was hired in 2014, and she has only grown in influence on Gregg Popovich’s staff in the time since. Most notably, Hammon was given head coaching duties for the Spurs’ Summer League entry in 2015, managing to guide them to the championship in Vegas.

Hammon’s reputation alone isn’t the only reason she makes for a possible Bucks’ candidate, as the 40-year-old was reportedly interviewed by Milwaukee for the vacant general manager’s position over the summer.

Writing of candidates for the then vacant position, Adrian Wojnarowski, then of The Vertical reported:

"“Another candidate whom the Bucks have contacted, league sources said: San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon. Hammon has no front-office experience, but has been a behind-the-bench assistant coach under Gregg Popovich for three seasons.”"

Hammon checks a lot of boxes for what the Bucks may be looking for in their next head coach, and if she left a lasting impression in that previous interview, she may even have something of an inside track in this process.