If there was any doubt that Bucks general manager John Hammond has complete autonomy of the team's basketball operations, it should be absolutely dispelled by now.
While former Bucks general manager Larry Harris repeatedly ran into roadblocks from the Bucks' legal team and advisors while attempting to acquire a veteran player with a long-term contract or hiring an established head coach, Hammond hasn't encountered any of those problems. Of course, Hammond wouldn't have had it any other way.
According to sources, Hammond was adamant about having complete control of Bucks' player and coach personnel matters before he accepted the job.
In fact, Hammond, who had been Detroit Pistons general manager Joe Dumars' right-hand man, even rebuffed the Bucks' original overtures to him. It was only after an extensive meeting with Bucks owner Herb Kohl -- and receiving assurances from him that he would be making all the personnel calls -- that Hammond agreed to join the Bucks.
Since then, Hammond has moved swiftly and decisively to revamp the Bucks. And that included hiring a high-profile head coach in Scott Skiles and acquiring a high-caliber player in Richard Jefferson.
Hammond lured Skiles with a lucrative, four-year $18 million contract and obtained Jefferson despite the latter having $42 million remaining on the next three years of his contract. In all, Hammond has brought in nine players who are expected to be on this season's roster.
