Jon Horst, general manager of Milwaukee Bucks, has signed a multiyear extension with the franchise, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Bucks are in a difficult position as their playoffs begin. As we write, they’re down 2-0 to the Indiana Pacers in their first-round series. At just 42 years old, Horst has significantly shaped the team’s direction and success since taking on the GM role in 2017.
Horst took a number of key gambles during his time with the Bucks. These changes all but turned the franchise into a championship contender. In 2020, he grabbed headlines when he traded for guard Jrue Holiday. This aggressive move solidified the team’s defensive prowess while taking their playmaking to a whole new level. He’s made his strategic acumen apparent by orchestrating a blockbuster deal to bring in superstar Damian Lillard. Aiming to make the team more competitive in the Eastern Conference, this move was executed before the start of the 2023 NBA season.
Prior to his ascension to general manager, Horst developed his craft in basketball operations departments in Milwaukee and Detroit. More importantly, he picked up a strong sense of player dynamics and positive team building along the way. His leadership helped the Bucks secure their first title in 50 years during the 2021 NBA season. This accomplishment represented a breakthrough of historic proportions for the franchise itself and certainly for their fiercely loyal fans. Horst’s vision and foresight paved the way for what would be termed a universally praised hiring of head coach Mike Budenholzer in 2018. In 2018, he helped orchestrate the signing of that year’s most important free agent, Brook Lopez.
As the architect of the Bucks’ basketball operations, Horst has approached the tough questions and hard issues with intensity. Above all, he is laser focused on creating long-term success. Even after a rough start, the team sits in the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. This position increases the difficult competition they go up against. Despite facing early playoff adversity against the Pacers, Horst remains committed to building a resilient team capable of overcoming obstacles.
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