Bucks assistant Stotts exits before start of season

Terry Stotts has stepped down as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, head coach Adrian Griffin confirmed to reporters on Thursday.

After sitting out two seasons following his departure as the Portland Trail Blazers coach, Stotts had joined Griffin’s staff in the spring but ultimately decided in recent days that he wouldn’t continue in that role, sources said.

Griffin declined to comment on the circumstances but said the move was Stotts’ decision. He told reporters he was still evaluating whether to bring someone in to fill Stotts’ role.

“It caught all of us off guard, of course, but again, you just support him,” Griffin said. “He was a terrific guy. I learned a lot from him in a very short time. He was really good at what he does. He made a decision — a personal decision — and we just have to respect that.”

Stotts had been the Blazers’ head coach for nine years, including eight straight trips to the Western Conference playoffs, before his departure in 2021. Stotts had a 402-318 record with the Blazers, where he coached new Bucks guard Damian Lillard.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.