Milwaukee, WI (Best E Casino) - The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly hired former Pistons executive John Hammond as general manager.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal reported Friday that the Bucks have settled on the former vice-president of basketball operations for their Central Division rival to be their new GM, replacing Larry Harris.

Hammond spent the previous seven seasons in his VP role with the Pistons, after being promoted from director of player personnel during the 2001-02 season.

He takes over for Harris, who left after five years on the job in March after being told by the club that he would not be retained after his contract expired in June. The Bucks are mired in last place in the Central Division, heading to their second straight season without a playoff appearance.

The Zion, Illinois native was in his second stint with the Pistons, after serving as a scouting director and assistant coach under Doug Collins and Alvin Gentry from 1994-99. His NBA career has also included two stops with the Los Angeles Clippers, his first as an assistant to Larry Brown, his second on Gentry's staff.

The product of Greenville College in Illinois also spent 11 years as a collegiate assistant at Nebraska, Southwest Missouri State, and Houston Baptist.