The Mavericks have said they’ll let Rick Carlisle coach them as long as he wants.
Could he be ready to leave Dallas?
Longtime Bucks reporter Gery Woelfel suggests yes:
.@GeryWoelfel - "The hottest name that nobody has talked about is Rick Carlisle...The word going around is that he is interested in the #Bucks job and if that's true it would be a no-brainer. As far as front-runners though, I'm hearing Mike Budenholzer and Monty Williams."
— 1250 AM The Fan (@1250AMTheFan) May 8, 2018
Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News:
From Rick Carlisle: “Rumors that I have interest in the Milwaukee job are completely inaccurate. I work for Mark Cuban and the Mavericks."
— Eddie Sefko (@ESefko) May 10, 2018
Carlisle has had two losing seasons in the last two years. In the prior 24 years (15 as a head coach, eight as an assistant, one sitting out), he had only one losing season. This season, he drew most attention for addressing accusations of sexual assault and harassment by other members of the Mavericks organization and talking about Nerlens Noel eating a hot dog.
It wouldn’t be terribly surprising if Carlisle had some desire to bolt Dallas for greener pastures.
Milwaukee would provide that. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a superstar. Khris Middleton is a borderline All-Star. Eric Bledsoe is a solid starter. The Bucks present a high-end coaching vacancy.
But it’s apparently not to be. Carlisle has incredible job security, and he has forged a bond – strengthened by winning the 2011 championship – with Mark Cuban. Like with Dirk Nowitzki, Carlisle seems content to stay with the Mavericks through the thin years.
Mike Budenholzer and Monty Williams make far more sense as frontrunners in Milwaukee.