Analyst places Bucks Jon Horst among the worst NBA GMs

Ben Rohrbach of Yahoo Sports expressed little enthusiasm for Horst’s offseason, placing him 21st in his rankings of general managers for the upcoming season.

“Horst built the 2021 champion Bucks. Ever since, he has struggled to rebuild the roster, as age and injuries took their toll on the title core. This has led us to wonder if Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the three best players in the league, could leave Milwaukee as a result. In a desperate attempt to satiate Antetokounmpo, Horst waived and stretched Damian Lillard in order to sign Myles Turner this summer, and his career — and the future of Antetokounmpo on the Bucks — will ultimately hinge on that choice,” wrote Rohrbach in his article.

Jon Horst and the Bucks

Jon Horst assembled a championship-caliber roster in 2021, but the team has not returned to the NBA Finals since. In addition, the Bucks have failed to advance past the first round in each of the last three seasons.

Milwaukee saw plenty of roster activity this offseason, beginning with the loss of star big man Brook Lopez to the Los Angeles Clippers. They followed that by making a surprising move, stretching and waiving Damian Lillard, and then added Myles Turner to the lineup . The team also kept much of its core intact, including Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter, Taurean Prince, Ryan Rollins, and Jericho Sims.

In terms of fresh faces, Milwaukee added Cole Anthony and Gary Harris alongside Turner. Horst kept himself busy throughout the offseason, yet plenty of observers remain unconvinced about the team’s direction and what it might achieve in the coming year.

With all the changes, Jon Horst and Milwaukee’s championship outlook feels uncertain. The roster has talent, but it remains to be seen if the mix is strong enough to push them back into true title contention. How this season unfolds could also play a major role in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s long-term future with the franchise.