Not even the Bucks’ best player could save Jason Kidd’s job.
The future Hall of Fame point guard was fired as Bucks head coach on Monday amid a disappointing 23-22 start, ESPN first reported. Milwaukee entered the season with expectations of being one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, especially with breakout star Giannis Antetokounmpo running the show.
Antetokounmpo apparently had no control over this decision, though he called Kidd with the bad news 15 minutes before the Bucks made the official announcement and said he’d try and help “save his job,” according to ESPN. Kidd said he told Antetokounmpo he “had a feeling” his job was in jeopardy.
The 23-year-old Antetokounmpo, selected to his second-straight All-Star Game last week, has a strong relationship with Kidd and was reportedly “devastated” by his ouster.
It took longer for the news to trickle down to some of Antetokounmpo’s teammates, with point guard Eric Bledsoe telling reporters he didn’t know Kidd was out until two hours after it was first reported. The Bucks were preparing to face the Suns at home Monday night.
Kidd shockingly left the Nets for the Bucks in the summer of 2014 to gain more control of the franchise he would be a part of. Reports of Kidd leaving for the Bucks became public even as Larry Drew was still coaching in Milwaukee.
Kidd, 44, will be replaced on an interim basis by assistant Joe Prunty.