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Golden State Warriors’ lead assistant misses Bucks 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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Golden State Warriors’ lead assistant Kenny Atkinson has missed out on another head coaching role, overlooked for the job at the Milwaukee Bucks in favor of Toronto Raptors’ assistant Adrian Griffin.

Atkinson, an assistant under Steve Kerr at the Warriors over the last two seasons, was a finalist for the job alongside Griffin and 2019 NBA championship-winning coach at the Raptors, Nick Nurse.

The Golden State Warriors’ hopes of retaining Kenny Atkinson have increased after the 48-year-old missed out on the head coaching role at the Milwaukee Bucks.

Griffin has won out the job to replace 2021 championship-winning coach Mike Budenholzer, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Saturday. The Bucks had fired Budenholzer on May 4, coming shortly after the team’s first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Miami Heat.

Per Wojnarowski, each of Atkinson, Griffin and Nurse met with Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, with the once championship-favorite Bucks looking to respond from a disappointing end to their season.

"“Griffin, who spent the past four years as Nurse’s top assistant in Toronto, is getting his first head-coaching job and comes with a reputation as a high-level defensive coach”, Wojnarowski wrote."

There are a number of roles still vacant as the head coaching merry-go-round continues this offseason. The Phoenix Suns are on the lookout for a replacement for Monty Williams, while the job at the Philadelphia 76ers is open after the franchise fired Doc Rivers. The Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors are also yet to finalize a new head coach despite having missed the playoffs.

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Atkinson had accepted the role at the Charlotte Hornets in June 2022 before changing his mind immediately following the Warriors’ championship victory. Having coached the Brooklyn Nets for four years between 2016-2020, it appears he may now need to wait at least another season for his next opportunity.

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