Milwaukee Bucks: Complete 2017 offseason grades
Hired John Horst as general manager
Prior to free agency, and prior to the NBA Draft, the Bucks made their first and perhaps most important offseason move. Filling the most crucial position in an NBA organization, the team hired Jon Horst to serve as general manager.
John Hammond steered the Milwaukee ship for the past few seasons, and was acclaimed league-wide for his foresight in drafting and developing talent. While many of his free agent moves were suspect, overall his reviews from both peers and analysts were positive.
But with his contract nearing its end, Hammond took advantage of an opportunity to earn a longer contract and title promotion with the Orlando Magic. That left a void in the Milwaukee front office after the conclusion of the season, with the draft and free agency fast approaching.
Despite the window of time, the Bucks seemed to take their time surveying the landscape and analyzing various candidates. While assistant general manager Justin Zanik was considered the overwhelming favorite, the team announced it would spend the time necessary to make the best decision.
In the end, the team decided Zanik was not that best decision, and they let him go. Instead they promoted former director of basketball operations Jon Horst to the role. A surprise selection, Horst won the team over with something other than pedigree.
Shortly after Horst was in place, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced that their general manager, David Griffin, was walking away. Whether Milwaukee would have strongly considered Griffin, he was a bigger name with a more proven track record.
Instead the Bucks tabbed Horst, and he will be their guy for the foreseeable future. Learning from John Hammond should give him the first step he needs; what happens next — this summer and beyond — will be proven out through his actions. Horst could be an excellent general manager, but if he is not this team will be criticized for taking a relative unknown instead of the better names around.
Grade: C+