NBA: Milwaukee Bucks expected to appoint Jason Kidd as head coach after trade
Tuesday 1 July 2014 10:23, UK
The Milwaukee Bucks have fired head coach Larry Drew after agreeing a deal with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire Jason Kidd.
Drew had a 15-67 record last season with the Bucks, his first in the post after becoming the 13th coach in the franchise's history. He had previously held the top job at the Atlanta Hawks, leading them to the play-offs in each of his three years in charge.
However he has now been relieved of his duties following Milwaukee's successful trade for Kidd, whose coaching rights were acquired in exchange for two second-round draft picks.
"Despite the challenging season, Larry always handled himself and represented the Bucks in a first-class manner," Bucks general manager John Hammond said in a statement.
"Larry did the best he could in a difficult situation, especially given all of our injuries. I want to thank Larry for all of his efforts, and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."
Experience
Kidd - a 10-time All Star who only ended his playing career last year - has just one season of coaching experience under his belt, leading the Nets to a 44-38 record and a place in the play-offs in the Eastern Conference.
They knocked out the Toronto Raptors in the first round, winning game seven on the road, before being beaten in the semi-finals by the Miami Heat.
Kidd now looks set to take over a Milwaukee team which under new owners in Marc Lasry and Wesley Edens, selected Jabari Parker with the second pick in the recent draft.
Brooklyn will receive selections in the 2015 and 2019 draft from the Bucks.
