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| John Hammond. (Getty Images) |
At a press conference regarding the mutual decision by the Bucks and Scott Skiles to part ways, GM John Hammond confirmed he's in talks with owner Herb Kohl regarding an extension. Hammond has been operating this season without a net; his current deal expires at the end of it.
There was talk that this could be a year that leads to major shakeups with the Bucks, with Hammond, Skiles, Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis (if he were to activate his early termination option) all potentially gone after this season. But after Skiles' departure, indications are the team is forging ahead with the core it has just under a different coaching structure. Oddly, the team is not pursuing a replacement coach and intends to keep Jim Boylan to finish the season despite Boylan's similarities to Skiles.
(Boylan also took over for Skiles when he was fired in Chicago five years ago, finishing 24-32 that season. Get excited, Milwaukee!)
So it looks like the Bucks are going to keep calm and carry on at a .500 pace. No new coach to breathe life into the roster. No major trades to shake up the team's identity. In truth, the Bucks have been pretty good overall this season despite a recent swoon. They have great young talent in Larry Sanders, John Henson and Tobias Harris.
Hammond has done a decent job managing payroll and talent -- keeping the Bucks within striking distance of being dangerous -- but has been unable to actually get them an edge. Looks like he'll have some more time to try to find that point.
