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Golden State Warriors’ top assistant in line for head coaching role

By Peter O'Keefe

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts with Kenny Atkinson after a technical foul during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on October 25, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 134-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts with Kenny Atkinson after a technical foul during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on October 25, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 134-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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While the Golden State Warriors’ off-court priorities may lie with the future of President of Basketball Operations Bob Myers, the franchise could be facing the loss of another key asset in the wake of a disappointing second-round playoff exit.

Warriors’ top assistant Kenny Atkinson is in line to claim the vacant head coaching role at the Milwaukee Bucks, with the 55-year-old a finalist for the position according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. 

The Golden State Warriors could lose their first major piece of the offseason should Kenny Atkinson win out as the new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Bucks will choose from Atkinson, Toronto Raptors’ assistant Adrian Griffin, and 2019 championship-winning coach Nick Nurse who was fired by the Raptors last month.

With a plethora of head coaching roles having become available this offseason, there’s no surprise that Atkinson has become a lead candidate across a number of openings. He was previously a prominent applicant for the Houston Rockets’ head coaching role before they signed former Boston Celtics’ lead man Ime Udoka.

Steve Kerr and Kenny Atkinson during the Golden State Warriors’ successful trip to the NBA Finals in 2022.(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Steve Kerr and Kenny Atkinson during the Golden State Warriors’ successful trip to the NBA Finals in 2022.(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Milwaukee fired 2021 championship-winning coach Mike Budenholzer on May 4, with the decision coming shortly after their disastrous first-round exit against the Miami Heat. That five-game series loss doesn’t look so bad right now given the Heat have rolled their way through the East and are now one game away from the NBA Finals.

Atkinson coached the Brooklyn Nets for 308 games across four years from 2016 to 2020, notching up a 118-190 win-loss record including a first-round playoff exit in 2019. After one season under Ty Lue at the Los Angeles Clippers, Atkinson has spent the last two seasons with Golden State.

He won the head coaching role at the Charlotte Hornets during last year’s NBA Finals, before sensationally backflipping after the Warriors won the championship in six games over the Boston Celtics.

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Given he’s held an even more important role since the departure of Mike Brown to the Sacramento Kings last offseason, the Warriors will need to have a contingency plan in place if Atkinson does leave for Milwaukee.

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