Many questioned the Milwaukee Bucks bypassing a widespread coaching search to bring on Taylor Jenkins as their next head coach. While risky, they are already reaping the rewards. Jenkins was the best available coach at the time, and nothing has changed. While other teams search for their next leading voice, the Bucks already took away the option everyone would have loved to have.
Not many other coaching candidates jump out
Let's break down the current coaching market.
Billy Donovan and Tom Thibodeau are arguably the biggest names out there. Either name would have felt like a safe hire for the Bucks. After going with the safe hire with Doc Rivers, that would have been a head-scratcher. Jamahl Mosley's Milwaukee ties were interesting, but after squandering a 3-1 lead to the Detroit Pistons, his desirability certainly dipped.
The Bucks could have looked internally and given Darvin Ham a shot if they felt like he got the short end of the stick after his coaching stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, given that he coached under both Mike Budenholzer and Doc Rivers, one might think hiring Ham would have felt like more of the same when this team clearly needed something new.
Then there are the fresh candidates—names who have never had a head coaching gig. Rajon Rondo has been looking to make the leap. Chris Quinn is looking to spread his wings. Sam Cassell has long-running ties to the Bucks. While interesting, Milwaukee likely didn't want to bring in a coach with no experience whatsoever after the Adrian Griffin debacle.
The market isn't rich with answers.
Jenkins is exactly what the Bucks need
Milwaukee's new coach falls somewhere in the middle of the others mentioned. He does have head-coaching experience—and has led some pretty strong teams—but hasn't been around long enough to feel like a name they're chasing recognition over results. Though he has ties to Mike Budenholzer, Jenkins has paved his own path since branching off. The hope is that he can do it in the 414 as well.
Unlike several other candidates, Jenkins also makes sense no matter what direction the Bucks go in this summer. If the Bucks were to hire Donovan or Thibodeau now and end up trading away Giannis Antetokounmpo, having them for a rebuild wouldn't make sense. If they want to contend with him on the roster, a fresh-faced name with no experience could be risky.
On paper, the Milwaukee Bucks look like the big winners of the coaching cycle. It's early, of course, but right now, everyone else is looking to get the second-best head coach.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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