Things haven’t been the same after the Milwaukee Bucks won the championship back in 2021. Now that the team has been eliminated in the first round by the Indiana Pacers, the biggest domino to fall would potentially be losing general manager Jon Horst to another team.
Horst began his journey in the NBA as the Detroit Pistons’ manager of basketball operations from 2007 to 2008. During that period, the late Flip Saunders was still coaching a team consisting of Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Rasheed Wallace, among others. That lineup would go on to finish the regular season with a 59-23 record, but was eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Boston Celtics.
From there, Horst would move on to become the Bucks’ director of basketball operations from 2008 to 2017. That period saw Milwaukee reach the first round of the playoffs several times, but never went past that point. Fortunately, a game changer arrived when the franchise drafted perennial All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2013.
Since then, the Greek Freak evolved into one of the league’s most unstoppable forces on the court. Over the years, he would become the cornerstone of Milwaukee’s lineup and help the team to become contenders in the Eastern Conference. At the same time, Horst became the team’s general manager in 2017 and is still currently holding the post at this point in time.
Milwaukee Bucks In Danger of Losing General Manager Jon Horst After 2024 Playoffs Exit
In a season that saw the Bucks go all-in by acquiring All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, the downs were definitely more than the ups this season. Things could get shaken up more if Horst decides to leave the Bucks, as seen in a tweet posted by Evan Sidery on X:
The Pistons are planning to pursue Bucks GM Jon Horst as their new President of Basketball Operations, per @eric_nehm (https://t.co/bltoOgMRHn).
Troy Weaver and Monty Williams would report to Horst as the lead voice.
Horst began his executive career in Detroit back in 2017. pic.twitter.com/RBdw2ekrDQ
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 3, 2024
As it stands, Horst still has two years left in his contract due to an extension he signed in 2021. Now that the Bucks’ season is done, the Pistons are expected to ask permission to interview him for the post within their ranks.
If Horst ends up leaving Milwaukee, the franchise will have to find someone to steady the ship, With the controversy of hiring Doc Rivers, the disappointing performance of Lillard, and frustration of Antetokounmpo, adding more uncertainly to the mix won’t help the Bucks contend next season.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow us on Twitter at @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.