Bucks Rumors: Clippers' Ty Lue, Suns' Monty Williams on MIL's 'Radar' in HC Search

The Milwaukee Bucks are searching for a new head coach after firing Mike Budenholzer following a disappointing first-round loss to the Miami Heat in the 2023 playoffs, and that search appears to have led them out West.

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue and Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams are "on the Bucks' radar," according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

Both Lue and Williams are still under contract with their respective franchises.

However, Lue's future in L.A. has been in question since the Clippers fell to the Suns in the first round of the playoffs, and now Williams' future in Phoenix is up in the air after his team's second-round loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.

Lue became head coach of the Clippers in 2020-21, and he has failed to lead the franchise on a deep postseason run that has included multiple injuries to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Because of those injuries, Lue may not be a candidate to be fired, but he could want a change of scenery.

The 46-year-old has gone 133-103 in three seasons with the Clippers, leading the team into the playoffs in two of his three seasons. Had Leonard and George been healthy during either of those two playoff runs, it's possible they could have advanced further.

Prior to being hired by the Clippers, Lue served as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2015 until he was fired following an 0-6 start to the 2018-19 campaign. He led the franchise to the NBA Finals in three straight seasons, winning the title in 2016.

Williams has been head coach of the Suns since the 2019-20 season, going 194-115 in that span. While the Suns reached the NBA Finals during the 2020-21 season, the team has suffered back-to-back early postseason exits, and ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported Friday that Williams' job could be in jeopardy.

Williams also coached the New Orleans Pelicans from 2010-2015, going 173-221 and leading the team to two playoff appearances.

If neither Lue nor Williams is fired this summer, the Bucks would likely have to give up a draft pick in order to land one of the veteran head coaches.

Milwaukee's wide-ranging search also includes James Borrego, Scott Brooks, Kenny Atkinson and Adrian Griffin.

Whoever is hired as head coach of the Bucks will inherit a talented roster highlighted by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday. While there will be pressure for the team to make another run to the NBA Finals, it could be easier to accomplish with those two players on board.