Orlando Magic to hire Bucks GM John Hammond

Veteran NBA front-office executive John Hammond will leave his post as general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks and take the same job with the Orlando Magic, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the hire was announced officially.

Hammond will work under new Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman, who just left his job as general manager of the Toronto Raptors.

Hammond, who had one year left on his deal with the Bucks, is responsible for Milwaukee’s impressive rebuild, including drafting All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who Weltman saw play in Europe. Hammond took the Greek star with the No. 15 pick in the 2013 draft.

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Hammond worked for Joe Dumars during a majority of Detroit’s impressive run of six consecutive Eastern Conference finals appearances and during the 2003-2004 championship season. He was named executive of the year following the 2009-10 season – his second year with the Bucks.

“John Hammond has been an incredible asset to the Bucks organization these last nine years and a true professional in every sense of the word," Bucks ownership said in a statement. "His keen eye for talent and relentless drive to build one of the finest teams in the league has helped the Bucks become a championship-caliber organization on and off the court. We wish John and his family nothing but the best in Orlando.

“We remain very excited about the prospects of our team and anticipate further announcements about the front office staff to be made in the near future.”