The Milwaukee Bucks have had more than their fair share of head coaching controversy over the past year or so. Following their first round loss to the Miami Heat in NBA Playoffs, the team decided to part ways with head coach Mike Budenholzer, who had led to team to its first NBA Championship in 50 years back in 2021. To replace him, Milwaukee hired former Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin.

Griffin, unfortunately, struggled in his first experience as a head coach. Despite a 30-13 record midway through the season, the team displayed little chemistry on the court and rumors of discontent in the locker room abounded. As a result, Griffin was fired and replaced by Doc Rivers.

As it turns out, Milwaukee was just getting a head start on fixing its head coaching issues. Multiple teams have fired their head coaches since their seasons ended. For example, the Phoenix Suns fired Frank Vogel and have replaced him with Budenholzer.

Interestingly, Budenholzer is not the only person with ties to the Bucks that is/was considered a hot name on the coaching market.

The Los Angeles Lakers Fired Former Milwaukee Bucks Player and Coach Darvin Ham

Former Milwaukee Bucks coach and player Darvin HamApr 29, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
After the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs by the defending NBA Champions, the Denver Nuggets, the team made the decision to part ways with head coach Darvin Ham.

Ham, of course, got the job in 2022 when the Lakers hired him away from the Bucks, where he served as the lead assistant coach under Budenholzer.

In his two seasons as the Lakers head coach, Ham went 164-90. In his first season, the Lakers overcame tough odds in the NBA Play-In Tournament to make it all the way to the Western Conference Finals, where they were also defeated by the Nuggets.

The Los Angeles Lakers Are Interested in Former Milwaukee Bucks Players JJ Reddick and Sam Cassell

Milwaukee Bucks, Sam Cassell, JJ ReddickMar 27, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Sam Cassell against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Lakers are currently considering two former Bucks players for their vacant head coaching position: JJ Redick and Sam Cassell.

Redick played for Milwaukee after a midseason trade brought him to the Bucks during the 2012-13 NBA season. During his time with the Bucks, he averaged 12.3 points, but shot just 31.8% from three.

He is currently working as a NBA analyst.

Cassell played for the Bucks from 1998-2003. He was a member of the Big Three that included Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson, a group that led Milwaukee to the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals.

During his time in Milwaukee, Cassell averaged 19.0 points and 7.2 assists per game.

Cassell is a three-time NBA Champion as a player, having won two titles with the Houston Rockets and one with the Boston Celtics.

Cassell has also been working as an assistant coach since his retirement. Since 2009, he has coached with the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Celtics.

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