Bucks Extend General Manager Jon Horst's Contract for Multiple Years
Meet the Bucks' Boss Man: Jon Horst Extends His Tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have locked up General Manager Jon Horst with a fresh multiyear contract, a scoop first reported by Shams Charania. And, boy, does he deserve it!
Over his eight-year reign, Horst has steered the Bucks into the playoffs every single year, boasting a second-highest win percentage in the entire league. His winning touch is second to none! Not just the numbers, but Horst's tenure culminated in the Bucks' long-awaited NBA championship in 2021—their first taste of glory in 50 years.
The 2019 season saw Horst crowned Executive of the Year, when the Bucks clinched the top spot in the East, but fell short in the conference finals.
Horst kickstarted his NBA career in various basketball operations roles with the Bucks and Detroit Pistons before his promotion to GM of the Bucks in 2017.
Despite a disheartening 0-2 series hole against the Indiana Pacers in the current playoffs, the Bucks will be battling it out in Game 3 on Friday at 8:00 p.m. EST, right here in Milwaukee.
MVP of the Management: A Deep Dive into Horst's Tenure
Throughout his tenure, Horst has made numerous wise decisions to move the Bucks forward, and one can't ignore the impact of his key decisions:
- The Reckoning of Coach Bud: In 2018, Horst appointed Mike Budenholzer as head coach. Budenholzer has been a driving force in perfecting the team strategy and honing player potential.
- Snatching Stars: Horst's acquisitions of Brook Lopez, Jrue Holiday, Bobby Portis, and P.J. Tucker were crucial in securing the Bucks' championship run.
But it's fair to question Horst's drafting chops.
In his rookie year as GM (2017), the Bucks selected D.J. Wilson 17th overall when several top talents, like John Collins, Jarrett Allen, OG Anunoby, Kyle Kuzma, Derrick White, and Josh Hart, were still on the board.
In more recent drafts, picks like MarJon Beauchamp (2022) and AJ Johnson (2024) have received mixed reviews.
Horst also let go of Donte DiVincenzo, his best draft pick, at the 2022 trade deadline for salary cap purposes.
The Bucks' Damian Lillard trade hasn't delivered the expected returns so far, and the trade for Kyle Kuzma to acquire Khris Middleton looks like a questionable move—given Kuzma's performance compared to Middleton's.
Between shaky draft picks, letting go of key role players, and risky trades, it seems the Bucks are tumbling further from the lofty heights of being title contenders. But, hey, there's always next season! Let's see where Horst leads the Bucks from here.
- Jon Horst, the Milwaukee Bucks' General Manager, has been instrumental in steering the team to the playoffs every year, matching the second-highest win percentage in the NBA.
- Horst's tenure as GM is marked by his key decisions, such as appointing Mike Budenholzer as head coach and acquiring players like Brook Lopez, Jrue Holiday, Bobby Portis, and P.J. Tucker.
- However, Horst's drafting skills have been questioned, with the selection of D.J. Wilson over several top talents in his rookie year and the recent choices of MarJon Beauchamp and AJ Johnson receiving mixed reviews.
- In a move for salary cap purposes, Horst also let go of Donte DiVincenzo, his best draft pick.
- The Bucks' trades for Damian Lillard and Kyle Kuzma, aiming to acquire Khris Middleton, have not yielded the expected returns, raising questions about their strategic moves.
- Despite some questionable decisions and a current 0-2 series hole in the playoffs, the Bucks under Horst's leadership will strive to regain their title contender status in the future.
