Bucks hires Giannis’ Choice as their new head coach

The Milwaukee Bucks found their next head coach after an extensive search early in the NBA offseason. The team has decided to replace Mike Budenholzer with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s preferred option: Adrian Griffin.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks plan to hire Griffin to be the team’s next head coach. The two parties have yet to determine a financial compensation before a contract becomes an official agreement.

Griffin is considered a defensive-minded coach who can hold players accountable. He is 48 years old and will serve in his first job as a head coach.

Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reported last week that Antetokounmpo wanted the front office to hire Adrian Griffin. Griffin, who played 447 games in the NBA from 1999 to 2008, was an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors last season.

“I think Griffin gets the job in Milwaukee because Giannis wants him,” Gambadoro said. “There’s such a thing as headbutting in Milwaukee, from what I’m told, because you’ve got the owner, you’ve got the GM, you’ve got Giannis. They want to keep Giannis and they want to keep Giannis happy. Adrian Griffin is his choice. That’s who he wants.”

NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Giannis Antetokounmpo & Milwaukee Bucks Updates

The Bucks fired Budenholzer after losing to Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs in five games. Milwaukee was the No. 1 in the Eastern Conference this season.

Budenholzer guided the Bucks to the 2021 title over the Phoenix Suns in six games. However, Milwaukee felt it needed another vote in the locker room after consecutive postseasons where the team failed to make a deep run. The Bucks lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games despite leading the series 3–2.

NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Giannis Antetokounmpo & Milwaukee Bucks Updates

Antetokounmpo, 28, signed a five-year, $228 million contract extension with Milwaukee in December 2020. Next season he will earn $45.7 million.

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