There’s still so much to iron out for the Milwaukee Bucks and add to that the need to search for a new assistant coach as the team lost assistant coach Joe Prunty to the Orlando Magic.
Milwaukee Bucks, Joe Prunty
Jan 26, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks interim head coach Joe Prunty reacts to a call during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Prunty is part of legendary Gregg Popovich’s head coaching tree. He returned to the Bucks in 2024 after leaving them in 2018. He is known as a players’ coach and has established a close relationship with players, especially superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported the news through his own podcast (with paywall).
Update from @TheSteinLine:
“Orlando is indeed adding Bucks assistant Joe Prunty as well as God Shammgod to Jamahl Mosley’s coaching staff … on top of on-court additions Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones and the draft selections of Jase Richardson and Noah Penda.”
What an offseason… pic.twitter.com/LXjFmu6Ki1
— Orlando Magic HQ (@OMagicHQ) July 5, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jan 24, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks interim head coach Joe Prunty looks on with forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
I’m told the Bucks’ Joe Prunty has emerged as a strong candidate to join Orlando’s coaching staff.
Prunty has been interim HC in Atlanta and Milwaukee and worked for five other teams after starting out in San Antonio as @SInow illustrated below.
More: https://t.co/7Tm4BxO5E8 pic.twitter.com/ORx4fggVVN
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 5, 2025
Joe Prunty as Milwaukee Bucks’ best interim coach ever
Prunty became an interim coach of the Bucks thrice already. First in 2015 when he coached the team for 17 games while Jason Kidd underwent hip surgery.
The second was in 2018 when Kidd got fired and he had to take over until the first round of the playoffs where they pushed the Boston Celtics to Game 7 as a seventh seed. The other one was in 2023-2024 season as the team searched for a replacement to Adrian Griffin.
He may haven’t gotten a full time coach role but his pedigree is well-respected in the NBA.
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Jan 10, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich watches from the sidelines against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
He never once ran out of job since coming to the league as an assistant to Popovich in 1999. He won three championships with them.
The question now is how Bucks will find a replacement for him.
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