The Milwaukee Bucks formally introduced Jason Kidd as their new head coach today.
General manager John Hammond opened a press conference at the BMO Harris Bradley Center by saying he is excited about the future of the team.
Hammond gave accolades to new Bucks owners Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry.
“We want to win, and we want to win big,” Hammond said. “I believe in Wes, and I believe in Marc.”
“Jason is a person I’ve admired as a player for a long time,” Edens said. “This has been a tremendous week for the Milwaukee Bucks.”
“I’ve known Jason a long time. I’ve admired him as a player. I’ve admired him as a coach,” Lasry said.
“I would like to thank Wes and Marc for giving me this opportunity. I’m very excited to be in Milwaukee,” Kidd said, citing the team’s roster of young players. “I like what I heard from Wes and Marc.”
The Bucks traded two second-round draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets to acquire Kidd.
In explaining the timeline of the hire, which resulted in the firing of former Bucks coach Larry Drew, Lasry said, “Wes and I met with him (Kidd)…Then we brought John in, and from then on John handled all conversations.”
Lasry said the Bucks were first contacted by Kidd’s agent.
Lasry said the Bucks’ handling of the firing of Drew was a “mistake.”
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