Milwaukee Bucks working on Jason Kidd extension; hiring Justin Zanik

The Milwaukee Bucks are working toward an extension with coach Jason Kidd and are hiring Utah Jazz executive Justin Zanik as the franchise's general-manager-in-waiting, according to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.

Milwaukee finished the season 33-49, 12th in the Eastern Conference and 11 games out of a playoff spot. But the Bucks have a promising nucleus of young players and are working with the city and state to move into a new downtown arena, so maintaining continuity is important.

Zanik served as an assistant general manager for Utah and will have a similar role in Milwaukee with an agreement that he will eventually take over for current GM John Hammond, according to the report. A timetable for the succession plan is still unclear for Zanik, who joined the Jazz in 2013 following 15 years as a player agent.

Hammond has been the Bucks' GM since 2008, and stayed with the franchise when it was bought by Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry in 2014. He has one year remaining on his current contract. Hammond was responsible for drafting Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th overall pick in 2013.

Kidd signed a three-year contract in 2014 reportedly worth between $12-15 million annually.