5. Milt Newton
Current Position: Milwaukee Bucks assistant general manager
One of the most impressive rebuilding projects around the NBA over the course of the last seven years came from the Chicago Bulls Central Division foe Milwaukee Bucks. As long as their best player sticks around beyond the summer of 2021, then the Bucks are going to be a title contender for the foreseeable future.
A lot of the credit for building this Bucks machine traces back to the selection of the “Greek Freak” and reigning MVP honoree Giannis Antetokounmpo back in the 2013 NBA Draft. Giannis turned into the NBA’s best player by the end of the decade. His rise to national prominence took the Bucks to new heights, and they’re having a record-breaking 2019-20 season so far.
Among the front office that so beautifully constructed this title contender that is the Bucks sits the assistant general manager Milt Newton. The former Philadelphia 76ers scout and Minnesota Timberwolves general manager found a lot of success in various managerial roles in the past in the NBA. His general manager job with the Timberwolves was his most recent in this position, and he was let go in Minnesota in 2016.
But that Timberwolves rebuild appeared to be beyond repair at least in the short run back in 2016. Karl-Anthony Towns had yet to blossom into the star he is today, and that Timberwolves organization is still trying to find its direction in the Western Conference.
Newton could be a fresh start for the Bulls with more relevant recent success and managerial experience than a lot of other candidates. He would be an immediate upgrade for the Bulls compared to Forman.