Reports: Bucks to open search for next GM

Matt Velazquez
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Longtime NBA executive Rod Thorn, a special consultant to the Bucks, reportedly will lead the search for a new GM in Milwaukee to replace John Hammond.

When John Hammond left the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday to take the general manager position with the Orlando Magic, the initial expectation was that the Bucks' GM position wouldn't remain open long.

Not so fast.

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Bucks are planning to launch a full search for their next general manager. Rod Thorn, a longtime NBA executive who joined the team as a consultant in September 2015, will lead the search on behalf of Bucks ownership, according to Stein.

This type of search would not be surprising except for the multiple reports over the past year, including from the Journal Sentinel and The Vertical, that the Bucks already had a plan of succession.

Hammond's contract was extended last summer through the 2017-'18 season. At the time, assistant general manager Justin Zanik, who was hired from the Utah Jazz earlier in 2016, was reportedly considered to be the GM-in-waiting and was expected to move into the GM role in 2018 with Hammond moving into a consulting role.

Stein's report on Wednesday said that Zanik, who "will interview for the GM post and be given strong consideration to succeed Hammond," was never promised anything upon being hired by the Bucks and will have to prove he is the best option for the team.

According to a report by The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski later in the afternoon, the Bucks will promote Zanik to interim general manager during the team's search. He remains a "serious contender" and will run the Bucks' office during the process. Wojnarowski also reported that the team has hired "a search firm to conduct a process to replace" Hammond. 

The Bucks have not made any announcements about their front-office situation outside of a release following Hammond's departure.

“We remain very excited about the prospects of our team and anticipate further announcements about the front office staff to be made in the near future," team ownership said in the statement.

According to a report from cleveland.com's Joe Vardon, the Bucks are interested in Cavaliers general manager David Griffin, though they have not sought permission to interview him. Griffin has been the Cavaliers' GM since 2014 and is in the final year of his contract. Over the past month, the Cavaliers have denied requests from the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic to interview Griffin for front-office positions.

The uncertainty surrounding the Bucks' front office comes less than a month before the June 22 draft and 5 1/2 weeks until free agency opens July 1.

It is not known whether any members of the Bucks' staff will follow Hammond to Orlando. If anyone chooses that route, it could complicate Milwaukee's draft preparations.

Outside of the draft, the Bucks have multiple personnel situations that will affect the new general manager. Tony Snell, who started 80 games for the Bucks this season and played a vital role at both ends of the court, is a restricted free agent. If the Bucks are interested in keeping him — something Hammond was adamant about doing when he was in charge — they'll need to make a qualifying offer by June 30.

In addition, Greg Monroe and Spencer Hawes have player options for next season. Monroe has until June 22 — the day of the draft — to decide whether or not to pick up his option worth about $17.9 million for next season. Hawes' option is worth about $6 million.