The Milwaukee Bucks underwent a significant roster shakeup this summer, but they also lost a key cog in their assistant department. Joe Prunty, a long-time mainstay with the Bucks, has departed to join the Orlando Magic as an assistant. Prunty never stole the spotlight on the bench, but his presence will be missed.
Bucks lose a key assistant to an Eastern Conference foe
Prunty has been with the Milwaukee Bucks through thick and thin. He first joined as an assistant back in 2014, sticking in the role for four years. However, in 2018, upon Jason Kidd being fired, Prunty was promoted to interim head coach. The Milwaukee Bucks did gain some traction under Prunty, finishing as the seventh seed before losing to the Boston Celtics in seven games in the NBA Playoffs.
After that, Prunty spent the next several years with the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns, even taking on the interim mantle once more with the Hawks. Yet, his time with the Milwaukee Bucks was far from done, as Prunty returned to the city in 2023, this time under new head coach Adrian Griffin. As Bucks fans know, though, that move didn't last long, opening the door for Prunty to earn a larger role again.
In January 2024, just months after hiring Griffin, the Bucks decided to part ways with their coach. Who would they make the interim? Once again, it was Joe Prunty. Unlike his prior stint in the role, though, Prunty didn't have a large sample size to prove himself this time. After a few short games, Doc Rivers earned the nod and sent Prunty back to his assistant role, where he stayed until now.
Joe Prunty will now head to the Sunshine State, where the Magic will gladly welcome his experience to their coaching staff as they look to make some noise in the Eastern Conference next season.
Losing Prunty isn't a knockout blow, but it does sting seeing such a mainstay leave. He's been a key piece of the puzzle for years now, witnessing Giannis' early growth to where he is now. His experience as an interim three different times didn't hurt his stock either. It's always nice to have that option in your back pocket, just in case things go south.
Who knows, perhaps Joe Prunty will make his way back to the Milwaukee Bucks eventually, just like he did in 2023.
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