It’s no secret this season has been full of struggles for the Milwaukee Bucks, especially after acquiring All-Star point guard Damian Lillard. The thing is, the team might lose general manager Jon Horst next season, landing another blow to their already disappointing run this year.
During the previous offseason, the Bucks’ front office chose to go all-in by acquiring Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers by trading a package headlined by Jrue Holiday. As opposed to two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo handling all the offense, the move was envisioned to give the Greek Freak help in getting buckets.
All seemed well at the start of the season, even though there were still some adjustments to be made when it came to the duo of Antetokounmpo and Lillard. Unfortunately, the front office decided to terminate head coach Adrian Griffin, even though he had guided the Bucks to a second-seed in the Eastern Conference.
After that decision, Doc Rivers was hired to replace Griffin and help make the most of Milwaukee’s core. However, the team slid down from the second spot and had a worse record than when Griffin was coaching the team, causing a lot of people to blast Rivers’ handling of the Bucks. Now, the Bucks are in a 3-1 hole against the Indiana Pacers and closer to elimination than what many expected out of them when the season started.
Milwaukee Bucks Risk Losing General Manager Jon Horst Amid Playoff Struggles
As the Bucks continue to struggle in the playoffs, rumors of Horst leaving the franchise came out. According to an article Dalton Sell wrote for Behind the Buck Pass:
“Several weeks ago, veteran NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Detroit Pistons were believed to have an interest in Milwaukee GM Jon Horst as their new president of basketball operations. Not too much was made of the report at the time, as it was not surprising to see that they were casting a wide net across the league, but things are seemingly heating up now.
According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, league sources say there is now a real possibility that Jon Horst will take Detroit’s opening. That would undoubtedly shake up Milwaukee’s front office,” Sell wrote.
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Horst landed this gig for Milwaukee in 2017 after years of serving the team as its director of basketball operations. His record includes one NBA championship in 2021 and winning the NBA Executive of the Year in 2019.
If Horst walks away in the offseason and chooses the Pistons as his next destination, they will gain an experienced executive that can guide them to new heights. On the other hand, Milwaukee will try to navigate this possible scenario in a period when its All-Stars may potentially leave to seek greener pastures.
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