Whoever ends up taking the reins as the Milwaukee Bucks next coach must establish a culture that can set the tone from day one. Teams like the Celtics and Heat have built their success on a strong culture instilled by their coaches. Bobby Portis said the Bucks could use a culture-setter as they look to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay during a recent appearance on FanDuel TV's Run it Back.
“I would say something that’s about culture. Something that’s about holding guys accountable, standing for the right things. Creating a culture and identity… When you play the Miami Heat and the Celtics, you know exactly how they’re about to play.”
"He wants a coach that will hold guys accountable." 💯@BPortistime believes Giannis wants to play for a Mike Budenholzer type of coach. pic.twitter.com/7JEAijoH9k
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 14, 2026
By name-dropping Boston and Miami, Portis has inadvertently shone a spotlight on their assistant coaches. In particular, Sam Cassell and Chris Quinn are two high-profile names who should be firmly in the mix for Milwaukee's head coaching gig. Either name would certainly bring some of the culture that their current organizations boast.
Quinn, Cassell should be in the mix for Bucks job
There's plenty to like about both candidates.
Quinn has boatloads of experience both as a player and an assistant coach in this league. He spent time with four NBA teams and a handful of overseas clubs in his playing career before shifting into a new role as an assistant. He worked his way up from the college level to the G League to the NBA and was promoted to be Miami's associate head coach in 2024.
The Heat get so much praise for their culture, which is built around toughness, conditioning, and the next man up mentality. Perhaps Quinn could bring some of those attributes to Milwaukee.
Bucks fans need no introduction to Cassell. During his playing days, the well-traveled guard stayed in Milwaukee from 1999-2003, serving as an offensive engine on some of the best Bucks teams of the century. As an assistant, he's made several stops but has been a key figure on the Celtics in recent years, including on their title team.
Both players are itching for an opportunity to make the leap to head coach and would fit snugly in Milwaukee's plans.
Bucks already have ties to both coaching candidates
When the Milwaukee Bucks were looking for a head coach post-Mike Budenholzer, they did interview Chris Quinn for the position. Last summer, when there were rumors about Doc Rivers making his way to Milwaukee's front office, the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn (subscription required) reported that Cassell was among the names under consideration to take the mantle.
There has been interest in both names previously, and that shouldn't change this summer. The Bucks desperately need someone who can come in and give this team an identity after the past three years were nothing short of a disaster. It's not a guarantee that either coach would make a difference, but given their current situations, it wouldn't hurt to try.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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