After the departure of John Hammond to Orlando, the search for the next Milwaukee Bucks’ General Manager has begun. Current Assistant GM Justin Zanik has been conducting Milwaukee’s draft preparations and is a leading candidate to replace Hammond. Just last year Zanik was hired by the Bucks with the title of “GM in waiting”, although it appears ownership may be looking to go in another direction.
The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier this week that Milwaukee had requested permission to interview a handful of candidates for the position from around the NBA; Indiana Pacers VP of Basketball Operations Pete Dinwiddie, Denver Nuggets Assistant GM Arturas Karnisovas, Memphis Grizzlies VP of Player Personnel Ed Stefanski, and Atlanta Hawks former GM Wes Wilcox.
Ed Stefanski may be considered the front-runner out of that group, as he has a history with Bucks coach Jason Kidd and executive Rod Thorn. Ed was the Director of Scouting for the New Jersey Nets when Kidd was a player. More recently he has served as President and General Manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, and Vice President for the Toronto Raptors.
Another name to surface recently is San Antonio Spurs Assistant Coach Becky Hammon. After a stellar professional career, Hammon was hired by the Spurs in 2014 and coached them to a 2015 NBA Summer League championship in Las Vegas. Wojnarowski reported that the Bucks have officially requested an interview with Hammon.
Three other current Assistant GM’s are also expected to interview in the coming days; Bill Branch of the Portland Trailblazers, Adam Simon of the Miami Heat, and Pat Garrity of the Detroit Pistons. While Justin Zanik remains a leading candidate at this stage, a lot will depend on the interviews that Rod Thorn conducts.
