The Milwaukee Bucks have fired Head Coach Jason Kidd after three and a half seasons with the team.
It was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
Milwaukee has fired coach Jason Kidd, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 22, 2018
The move comes after the Bucks fell to the eighth seed in the current playoff standings, having lost six of their last 10 games.
The next question for Milwaukee is whether or not to keep Assistant Coach Joe Prunty under the interim tag for the rest of the season, or perhaps try and make a new hire. Generally, when you see a move like this in-season, the team will keep the assistant for continuity purposes and so they can take their time with the hiring process. The Memphis Grizzlies and the Phoenix Suns made similar moves this season, firing David Fizdale and Earl Watson respectively. Both teams have decided to finish the season with assistants at the helm. However, there is a chance we could see the Bucks go in a different direction.
Kidd has been disliked by the front office for some time now and many feel like this move was inevitable. It’s always difficult for a team in the Bucks’ position to make a move like this and be able to justify it, but the recent slide in the standings coupled with the growing angst within the fan base has made for the perfect storm. There is a chance the Bucks front office has been eyeing this day and already has a coach-in-waiting. If that is the case, the candidate would most likely come from the pool of free agent coaches on the market, rather than someone currently on an NBA staff.
Milwaukee also has some major decisions looming regarding their current roster construction. They have been tied to several different trade rumors around the league, including a potential deal with the Clippers’ Deandre Jordan. Jabari Parker is expected to return soon from injury, which the team hopes will be the jolt it needs to reach its full potential. Parker is also entering restricted free agency his summer and his play throughout the back half of the season will have a huge effect on the offer sheets.
More than likely, I see the Bucks holding at the deadline and taking this squad into a hopeful playoff berth. If Milwaukee is smart, they will look to retain Parker and continue to build on the core of he and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
