While not a complete surprise for plugged-in Bucks fans, Adrian Wojnarowski delivered a minor WojBomb (WojFirecracker, maybe?) this morning, reporting that the Orlando Magic have interest in Milwaukee GM John Hammond.
Sources: Magic asked Cavs for permission to speak to David Griffin, but so far -- no response. (Plus ATL GM search). https://t.co/AlzbI35KEP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) May 16, 2017
The headline doesn’t mention Hammond, but he is mentioned further down:
Orlando is planning to start interviews with president candidates soon and hopes to meet with several possible candidates, including Milwaukee GM John Hammond and Kevin McHale, who is working in television now, league sources told The Vertical. Hammond has one year left on his contract, and Milwaukee ownership has discussed the possibility of a succession plan into a new regime.
Wojnarowski mentions a “succession plan” for Milwaukee, which almost certainly involves Assistant GM Justin Zanik, who was hired away from the Utah Jazz last June. Zanik’s experience and de facto status as “GM-in-waiting” is no shock, and the writing has been on the wall for Hammond (perhaps in his own handwriting?) for most of the season.
Hammond has been the Bucks general manager since April 2008, and is largely responsible for helping the franchise climb down from the top of the bell curve after the changeover in the team’s ownership. At 63 years old, some had predicted that Hammond would retire and leave the Bucks as his capstone; drafting Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Thon Maker, and Malcolm Brogdon, trading for Khris Middleton, and landing Greg Monroe in free agency is a tough act to follow. But Hammond could also be interested in the chance to rebuild another mediocre franchise in Florida.