Current Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer is a hot commodity around the league. He and Atlanta parted ways after a tumultuous season in late April, but other teams covet his leadership.
A report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski earlier this week stated the 2015 Coach of the Year is the frontrunner in both the Milwaukee Bucks’ and Toronto Raptors’ searches.
Mike Budenholzer has emerged as the focus of the Milwaukee and Toronto coaching searches, league sources tell ESPN. Raptors are opening conversations with Budenholzer and Bucks will re-engage with him early this week, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 14, 2018
Watch out for Mike Budenholzer as the next Raptors head coach… https://t.co/UrVpQIpcIP
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 11, 2018
It seems the Bucks are bringing out the big guns to edge out their competition. Budenholzer met with Giannis Antetokounmpo Wednesday morning, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mike Budenholzer had breakfast today in Milwaukee, league sources say.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) May 16, 2018
Khris Middleton was also there, I'm told. https://t.co/yf1U3EEoDI
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) May 16, 2018
Those are arguably the two most important players on Milwaukee’s roster, so it’s clear the team wants to ensure its next coach and its best players will be on the same page.
This visit marked the second time the Bucks have met with the former Spurs assistant.
The Bucks will meet with Mike Budenholzer for a second time tomorrow, according to a league source. This interview, unlike the first, also will include ownership.
— Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) May 14, 2018
Raptors’ Competition
The Raptors reportedly want the four-time NBA champion, but they also have a number of impressive internal candidates.
Masai Ujiri confirmed today that Nick Nurse, Rex Kalamian & Jerry Stackhouse will get consideration for the now-vacant head coaching job with the Raptors. Mike Budenholzer a top candidate too. And, personally, I wouldn't be surprised to see Becky Hammon interviewed as well.
— Eric Smith (@Eric__Smith) May 12, 2018
Toronto fired Dwane Casey, who may win Coach of the Year, after Cleveland swept the Raptors in the second round.
