After granting Mike Budenholzer permission to speak with the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks about their coaching vacancies, the Atlanta Hawks ultimately elected to part ways with their head honcho rather than hold out for potential compensation.
Here’s ESPN.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski with the details on what has been deemed a mutual dissolution:
“I am grateful for the five years that I spent as coach of the Atlanta Hawks and will always cherish the incredible contributions, commitment and accomplishments of the players that I was fortunate enough to work with here,” Budenholzer told ESPN on Wednesday night. “From ownership to management, support staff to the community, I’ll look back with great pride on what we were able to achieve together with the Hawks.”
Budenholzer had two years and more than $14 million left on his contract, with the Hawks headed into a full rebuilding process.
Atlanta owner Tony Ressler and general manager Travis Schlenk met Budenholzer on Tuesday night in Atlanta and ultimately decided that a separation was the best course for everyone, league sources said.
Budenholzer probably won’t be on the market for long. Though he withdrew his name from consideration for the Suns position, he still appears to be in the running for the Knicks’ coaching gig. He could also be tapped for an interview with the Milwaukee Bucks, who figure to replace interim head coach Jay Triano after their season is over. Don’t be surprised if the Charlotte Hornets take a look at him either.
As for the Hawks, Woj says they already have a collection of assistant coaches in mind to replace Bud—including two from the San Antonio Spurs, Ime Udoka and James Borrego:
Sources: Among current assistant coaches expected to be a part of the Hawks search to replace Budenholzer: Charlotte's Stephen Silas, Portland's Nate Tibbetts and David Vanterpool, San Antonio's Ime Udoka and James Borrego.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 26, 2018
Pilfering through Gregg Popovich’s coaching tree is never a bad idea. Hell, it worked out for the Hawks the first time around. They plucked Budenholzer right from San Antonio, and he led them to four consecutive playoff berths, including one Conference Finals appearance, before the franchise opted to rebuild this past season.
Who moves on first: Atlanta or Bud? We’ll have to wait and find out—though, we’re rolling with Budenholzer, not only because he’s already started the interview process, but because anyone who coaches the Hawks needs to have the stomach for a Philadelphia 76ers-style rebuild. Finding the right candidate to chaperone that project could take a while.
