The Milwaukee Bucks to interview Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson

The Bucks' search for a new head coach continues.

© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Bucks’ search for a new head coach intensifies as NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reports the team will be interviewing the Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson. The 55-year-old has an impressive coaching resume that includes guiding the Brooklyn Nets to the 2019 NBA Playoffs.

ESPN Sources: Milwaukee was granted permission to interview Golden State associate HC Kenny Atkinson. Some of other candidates expected to meet with Bucks on coaching job are Milwaukee associate HC Charles Lee, ex-Charlotte coach James Borrego. There will be additional candidates…

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 10, 2023

Culture of winning

Atkinson has been with the Warriors for the last two seasons and was an integral part of the coaching staff that helped guide Golden State to the 2022 NBA championship. Atkinson was actually offered the position of head coach by the Charlotte Hornets last year, an offer he initially agreed to but eventually declined.

“We’re doing great here. Doing great,” Atkinson explained. “That really was the overwhelming factor. Living where we live, the kids in a great school district. It’s pretty ideal.”

Atkinson coached the Nets for a little over three seasons, compiling a 118-190 win-loss card. That team’s 2019 run to the Playoffs, though, was memorable, as the team was devoid of any big-name players and was led by the likes of D’Angelo Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie.

Other candidates

Woj also reports that the Bucks’ lead assistant Charles Lee and former Hornets head coach James Borrego will be interviewed. The Bucks are at a crucial crossroads, having fired their longtime head coach Mike Budenholzer in the aftermath of the team’s flameout in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.