DHJ Quick Take
- Taylor Jenkins Hired: The Milwaukee Bucks have reached an agreement to make Taylor Jenkins their next head coach.
- Giannis Not Involved: Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly had no involvement in the team’s hiring process.
- Communication Breakdown: The hire comes amid a period of silence from Antetokounmpo, who has not spoken to the Bucks’ front office or ownership since the trade deadline.
The Milwaukee Bucks are hiring Taylor Jenkins as their new coach, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, and Giannis Antetokounmpo had zero involvement in the hiring process.
Antetokounmpo hasn’t spoken to the Bucks’ upper brass since the trade deadline. The future Hall of Famer was nearly traded in February. He was heavily pursued by the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors.
Jenkins was an assistant coach with the Bucks during the 2018-19 season. He was the Memphis Grizzlies‘ head coach from 2019 to 2025. The Texas native went 250-214 in the regular season and 9-14 in the playoffs.
Antetokounmpo appeared in only 36 games this season. He averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 62.4% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 65.0% from the free-throw line.
The Bucks, who missed the playoffs this season for the first time since 2016, went 17-19 when Antetokounmpo played.
A top 75 player of all time, Antetokounmpo has spent his entire NBA career with the Bucks. He’s a two-time MVP, one-time Finals MVP, one-time Defensive Player of the Year and 10-time All-Star. Antetokounmpo guided Milwaukee to the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns in six games. The Bucks have won only one playoff series since then.
Antetokounmpo will make $58.5 million next season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season. The power forward is eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension with the Bucks on October 1. If he declines the extension, Antetokounmpo will be traded, per Milwaukee co-owner Wes Edens.
“We’ll see when we get there,” Antetokounmpo said. “We have [several] months [until then] … it’s a long time. But somebody has to offer you that, for you to sign. I haven’t been offered an extension. So, if that is on the table, then I will try to make the best decision for me and my family. But if it’s not on the table, then I have to focus on how can I improve my worth and get on the floor and do what I do.”
Antetokounmpo holds career averages of 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. It will be fascinating to see where he’s playing next season. Most people who cover the NBA expect the Bucks and Antetokounmpo to finally part ways this offseason.
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