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Milwaukee, not a long trip from the north suburbs, is also negotiating with Hinrich and according to a source, the Bucks, coached by former Bulls head coach Scott Skiles, who coached Hinrich in Chicago, offered the Iowa native a contract worth upwards of $4 million a year. CSN Chicago

Milwaukee Bucks, Free Agency, Kirk Hinrich, Scott Skiles 

"I'm happy here," Jennings said. "I started my career here. (Coach) Scott Skiles is a guy I've played for and I'm used to and comfortable with. At the end of the day I'm happy here." The Bucks will be able to open talks with Jennings on an extension on Sunday, when the NBA's new year opens with the start of the free agency period. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Brandon Jennings, Scott Skiles 

While one source warned the lack of a deal is typical for this stage of negotiations, it's impossible not to see parallels with the Scott Skiles' situation from June 2005. Thibodeau's option for 2012-13 has been picked up. However, after progress on an extension preceding last season, the two sides lately have stalled on contract length and value. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Tom Thibodeau, Coaching, Scott Skiles 

"To me, he was more of a college coach," (Stephen) Jackson said of Skiles. "Me, personally, I need a coach that I can respect, that's proven in this league and doesn't mind taking advice from his players. When you have a great coach like Gregg Popovich, who asks about our opinion and cares about how we feel and what we think and what goes on off the court and at home, it's easy to play for those guys because you know they genuinely care. He was a young coach, a coach that really hasn't proven himself in this league as far as winning, so I saw a lot of things that I didn't agree with that he was doing and we were losing at the time, so we never could work together." Grantland

San Antonio Spurs, Stephen Jackson, Scott Skiles 

Orlando will hire the GM first and the look for a coach who is one the same page with the GM. Among the early candidates that are expected to be in the mix for the coaching opening are Golden State assistant Michael Malone; Pacers assistant Brian Shaw; and the Bucks' Scott Skiles, who is beloved in Orlando and is said to be open to leaving Milwaukee after missing the playoffs for a second straight season. CBSSports.com

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Scott Skiles, Mike Malone 

Those who know Skiles well insist he would crawl to Orlando to be the Magic’s coach. Skiles not only has a house in the Orlando area but he played five years with the Magic while becoming one of their most beloved players ever. More importantly, Skiles is one of Richard DeVos Sr.’s all-time favorites. DeVos is the owner of the Magic. It’s hardly a secret DeVos wants an NBA title in the worst way and has to realize it would be foolish at this stage — especially if all-world center Dwight Howard remains in the Magic Kingdom — to bring in an untested young coach instead of a proven, quality coach like Skiles. Hiring Skiles would also be a p.r. bonanza for the Magic as their fans most certainly would embrace a Skiles’ “homecoming.’’ Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Coaching, Scott Skiles 

Let’s say there are more than few NBA officials that are amazed that Scott Skiles is still the coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. Skiles might even be one of them. An NBA official told me the other day that Skiles was so convinced he was toast in Beer Town that he cleaned out his office after the season, a season that was an unmitigated disaster, a season that marked the third time in Skiles’ four seasons with the Bucks that they didn’t make the playoffs. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Coaching, Scott Skiles 

The scuttlebutt was that Skiles was going to agree to a buyout on the one year remaining on his contract for approximately $4.5 million. If that was indeed the case, the buyout presented by Bucks officials wasn’t to Skiles’ liking. Skiles, as his close friends will attest, doesn’t like leaving money on the table. So, as it stands, Skiles will be the Bucks’ coach next season, a lame duck one at that. It’s a position that could be highly combustible for Skiles, especially considering several of his minions aren’t fully supportive of him. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Coaching, Scott Skiles 

Another highly conceivable candidate, could he shake free from Milwaukee (one year left), is Scott Skiles, who also played in Orlando and remains a DeVos family and local fan favorite. New York Post

Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Coaching, Scott Skiles 

Bucks owner Herb Kohl confirmed at a news conference Friday that general manager John Hammond will not work with a contract extension during the coming season. Scott Skiles agreed last week to return for the final year of his contract. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, John Hammond, Scott Skiles, Herb Kohl 

But the Bucks owner said he is confident the team can take the steps necessary to become a playoff team. Milwaukee finished the past season with a 31-35 record and was eliminated from playoff contention in the final week. "Scott is one of the best coaches in the league, and I'm very pleased he's going to be with us next year," Kohl said at the team's Cousins Center training facility. "It's true about John Hammond. It's an outstanding team, I believe. "This is a results kind of business we're in, and you measure at some point, we all do, we measure ourselves by our results. We were supposed to be in the playoffs. We didn't get there. We should still be playing. We're not still playing. "So if you want to know whether or not we're happy, no we're not happy. Why should we be happy? But we're planning for next year, and I think with this continuity and the ability of Scott and John, as well as the staff and our players, there's a lot to be enthusiastic about. "And it's on that basis that we're going forward." Kohl said "we're looking for good and great results and a long and happy relationship." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, John Hammond, Scott Skiles, Herb Kohl 

Scott Skiles will return to coach the Milwaukee Bucks next season. Skiles told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Tuesday that he would be back as the team's coach. His agent, Keith Glass, confirmed the decision in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. Glass said Skiles would not necessarily receive an extension before next season. Skiles has a year left on his contract, which was extended in 2010. ESPN.com

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Scott Skiles 

Charles F. Gardner: Scott Skiles confirms he will return as Bucks coach for next season. Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Scott Skiles 

Bucks coach Scott Skiles also could size up the situation quickly. "We need size everywhere," Skiles said. "Most games, right at the jump ball, when you look at the two teams, the other team is noticeably bigger than us at almost every position on the floor. "It's just something that has to be addressed. The guys know it, too. They know we need to get bigger." Hammond said he wants the team to become more athletic, and he hopes to add size at the center position. "Whether that's a guy who could start for us, or a guy who could fill in as a rotation player, or maybe a guy you don't even need every single night," Hammond said. "Because you look around the NBA, not every team has a center." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Free Agency, Scott Skiles 

The 48-year-old Skiles has one year remaining on his contract. He signed a four-year, $16 million deal in the spring of 2008 and had the deal extended through the 2012-'13 season in October 2010. "Obviously he's a great coach," said Dunleavy, who signed a two-year contract with the Bucks in December. "I loved playing for him. He's a major reason I came here. I'd certainly be disappointed if he wasn't back, for whatever reason. "You've got to move forward and expect us to have a great season next year." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Scott Skiles 

Jennings said he was concerned about the possibility Skiles would not be back next season. "Personally, for me, yes," Jennings said. "Just the fact that he's been my coach for the first three years and I'm used to a system. That's a guy who I've played for. "Just his mentality, his will and approach to the game. The fact he expects you to play hard every night. He expects you to do the little things to be a better player. That's kind of grown on me since I've been here, so that's basically all I know." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Scott Skiles 

It’s no secret that Bucks coach Scott Skiles is on the hot seat. A report circulated that Skiles, who has one year remaining on his contract for nearly $5 million, is interested in reaching a buyout with Bucks owner Herb Kohl. Skiles and Bucks general manager John Hammond wouldn’t comment on the matter. But Keith Glass, Skiles’ representative, told me Thursday afternoon, “That’s news to me. I haven’t talked to anyone about that. I’d be surprised if that was true.” Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, John Hammond, Scott Skiles 

Shake up in Milwaukee coming? "Based on the conversations I've had, you just don't know what's going to happen. I would imagine the Bucks are going to make some major moves. Scott Skiles, John Hammond, I think they're both under the gun at this point." Would Hammond bring director of scouting Billy McKinney and assistant GM Jeff Weltman to Portland? "Those guys are joined at the hip. Billy McKinney and John Hammond grew up together in Illinois. They've been best of friends since they were kids. So that's a given. Weltman has been with John for the last five or six years so I can definitely see that as a scenario." Blazers Edge

Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Jeff Weltman, John Hammond, Scott Skiles 

Of course, that will be easily forgotten if the Bucks reach the playoffs, which has always been Kohl’s primary goal for his GMs and head coaches. By making the playoffs, Kohl would also save himself an exorbitant amount of money. Skiles and Hammond each have one more season left on their contracts: Skiles for around $5 million and Hammond for around $2 million. At the same time, nobody should be startled if Kohl swallows one or even both of those contracts. After all, Kohl is fully cognizant of the Bucks’ rapidly deteriorating fan base. Last season, the Bucks managed just four sellouts at the Bradley Center; this season, they’ve have had only two. The Bucks’ average attendance this season is 14,747, a franchise low. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, John Hammond, Scott Skiles 

Nelson coached the Bucks from 1976-87 and compiled a 540-344 record. That is easily the most wins in Bucks’ history and his winning percentage of .661 is the best among the 11 coaches in franchise history. Current Bucks coach Scott Skiles began his pro playing career in Milwaukee in 1986 under Nelson. Skiles said Nelson made an impact on him and felt it was inevitable before Nelson would be accorded the game’s ultimate honor. “It seems obvious to me,” Skiles said of Nelson’s selection. “He’s won more games than anybody else. He did it with different franchises. He was a three-time coach of the year (in 1983, 1985 and 1992).” Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Don Nelson, Hall of Fame, Scott Skiles