Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer has withdrawn from consideration for the Suns‘ head coach vacancy, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Budenholzer met with the Suns on Monday and Tuesday and was expected to reach a decision this week.
A native of Holbrook, Arizona, Budenholzer still has two years and $13MM+ left on his deal with the Hawks.
With Budenholzer off the board, the Suns are considering interim coach Jay Triano, David Fizdale, Steve Clifford, Kevin McHale and Frank Vogel to fill the position, Wojnarowski adds.
Budenholzer, 48, has been the Hawks’ head coach since 2013, leading the team to a 213-197 record. He won Coach of the Year for the 2014/15 season, a year in which the Hawks went 60-22 and went to the Eastern Conference finals.
The Hawks played to an Eastern Conference-worst 24-58 this season as the organization cut payroll and gathered young assets under general manager Travis Schlenk‘s vision.
Suns are absolutely out of their minds. Pony up and pay the man or you’ll be the doormats forever.
The Suns situation isn’t the brightest. I think their are question marks as to what is the core going forward, not to mention how will Warren handle coming off the bench due to Jackson’s emergence. That’s all things coaches look at, they’ve got the logjam with Bender and Chriss plus Len’s situation. A lot could change in Phoenix, they’ve got to make decisions on Payton also.
I don’t see why Mike would want to leave Atlanta though. The Hawks have a pretty nice core with Prince,Dennis, and Collins. Collins expanding his range will have a lot to do with how good he will be, I love his form and think he could be a legit stretch 4 next season. Mike is in a better situation in Atlanta plus they’ll get Bembry back next year and have this year’s pick.
He probably considered Phoenix because he’s from the area. Maybe a little draw to come back home and work. Just kicking the tires I guess.
He’s better off in Atlanta. Coach up that young Phoenix roster to win in what 2-3 years? The West will be dominated by Golden State and Houston the next 2-3 years. Depending on what happens with George,Cousins,Lebron,Kawhi,Kyrie, and Klay over the next 2 years Mike shouldn’t bother going out West.
True dat
I would stick with Atlanta/Schlenk too, unless money was a factor. But I doubt it is, due to the large supply of good candidates, supposedly.