The Miami Heat are taking another longtime Milwaukee Bucks figure away from Wisconsin.
Several reporters confirmed on Friday that veteran assistant coach Vin Baker is leaving the Bucks to join Erik Spoelstra’s staff on the Miami Heat. According to Chris Haynes, Baker had “a close bond” with Giannis Antetokounmpo during their eight years together in Milwaukee.
After spending eight seasons with Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant, Vin Baker is joining Erik Spoelstra’s coaching staff with Miami Heat to reunite with Giannis Antetokounmpo to whom he has a close bond with, sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/boho1Yp7gk
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 21, 2026
The Heat will reportedly keep the team’s current set of assistants intact rather than fire anyone to make room for Baker.
Baker joined the Bucks as an assistant coach in 2018 — a move that turned his life around for the better. The former 6’11” big man had dealt with financial and substance abuse issues that resulted in him working at Starbucks just a few years before joining Milwaukee’s coaching staff.
The retired 4-time All-Star developed a personal relationship with Antetokounmpo, whom Baker viewed like his own son.
The Bucks drafted Baker with the 8th pick in the 1993 draft. He played four seasons in Milwaukee before being traded to the Seattle SuperSonics. He averaged 15.0 points and 7.4 rebounds across 791 games in his 13-year NBA career.
The Heat also made another under-the-radar move on Friday, signing a former All-Star sharpshooter who could benefit mightily from Giannis’ offensive gravity.
