As expected, the Milwaukee Bucks have begun putting together a lengthy list of candidates for their head coaching vacancy after dismissing Mike Budenholzer.
The list includes some fresh potential first-year coaches like Charles Lee and Adrian Griffin and a few experienced players like Tyronn Lue and Kenny Atkinson. However, based on everything that has come out, it appears that one name is currently the Bucks’ leading target to be the franchise’s next head coach: Monty Williams.
Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Bucks are expected to “aggressively” pursue Williams after his dismissal from the Phoenix Suns, noting that he is high on Milwaukee’s wish list. The Pistons and Raptors are also expected to be interested in Williams as they look to fill their vacancies.
New intel suggests Bucks may have found their primary coaching target
This news isn’t too surprising. In fact, it would have been surprising if the Bucks didn’t interview Williams for their opening. Williams has been linked to the Bucks before, having interviewed for their head coaching vacancy in 2018 before the job eventually went to Mike Budenholzer.
It makes sense that they would at least look to interview him to see where he is at five years later, especially after the success he had in Phoenix. Williams’ time in Phoenix included a trip to the NBA Finals, where he faced off against the Bucks, a Coach of the Year Award, and the best record in the league in 2021-22. Williams has plenty of experience as a head coach, which should be a factor in who the Bucks select to be their next leading voice.
Though he did help propel Phoenix’s resurgence over the past few years, Williams is not a perfect coach by any means; like everyone, he’s got some flaws. This past season, he was consistently put in the headlines for complaining about officiating, having been fined several times. It was never a good look and oftentimes sent the wrong message. Many have pointed to back-to-back playoff failures in Phoenix as reasons to be hesitant about Williams. It’s hard to forget what happened in 2021 as well when Williams’ Suns went up 2-0 before the Bucks won four straight Finals games.
Anything can change, but it seems like Williams is Milwaukee’s top pick to be their next coach at the time of this writing.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis this off-season.