1 prominent question mark in the Milwaukee Bucks’ coaching search
By Dalton Sell
The Milwaukee Bucks’ search for a head coach is well underway, as the team has begun looking at a wide variety of candidates.
The list includes eight names thus far: Charles Lee, Kenny Atkinson, James Borrego, Scott Brooks, Adrian Griffin, Tyronn Lue, Monty Williams, and Mark Jackson. Notice any prominent names not on that list? Nick Nurse, who was the popular pick to be Milwaukee’s next head coach shortly after it was announced that Mike Budenholzer had been dismissed, has yet to be linked to the Bucks in their head coaching search. Of course, there is still plenty of time, but it’s perplexing as to why it has not already happened to this point.
1 prominent question mark in the Milwaukee Bucks’ coaching search
After being dismissed by the Toronto Raptors at the end of the season, Nick Nurse immediately became arguably the hottest available coach on the market. He has a title under his belt and no shortage of experience, which made him a solid fit for the Bucks. Yet, the team has not yet looked at Nurse in their coaching search, at least not publicly. The Bucks could have privately held a meeting with Nick Nurse for their coaching gig, but that’s a bit of a stretch.
It’s a bit confusing as to why the Bucks have looked at several potential first-time head coaches like Charles Lee and Adrian Griffin, in addition to Mark Jackson, who has not coached since 2014, but not Nurse. That is not a slight at any of those coaches, but for a Milwaukee team that needs to hit a home run with this hire to maximize their contending window, it’s worth questioning why the front office has not looked at one of the best available coaches on the market.
If the Bucks have any interest in Nurse, they may want to get the wheels turning soon, as he may not be on the market for long. Per Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, Nurse is among the first names linked to the Phoenix Suns’ head coaching position after they dismissed Monty Williams. Former Bucks’ head coach Mike Budenholzer is also on the list. The Bucks should at least bring Nurse in for an interview before it’s too late.
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