DOOR IS OPEN
Hawks split with Budenholzer, leave Knicks opportunity to swoop in
Mike Budenholzer may have moved a step closer to the Knicks job as the Hawks announced Wednesday night they are “mutually” parting ways with their coach.
No compensation will be needed to hire Budenholzer — once thought of as a potential stumbling block to any potential deal. The Post previously reported an NBA source saying Budenholzer considers the Knicks his “top choice.”
“If they offered him the job, he’d say yes,’’ the source told The Post. “He wants to live in New York.’’
Budenholzer, the 2015 NBA Coach of the Year, interviewed for the Knicks’ job Sunday after the Hawks granted the Knicks permission. As one NBA executive said this week, “He’s the best coach on the market.’’
Now he’s truly on the market — meaning there’s a chance other clubs could also get involved. The Suns interviewed Budenholzer 10 days ago but he pulled his name from consideration.
In early April, Budenholzer was said to have interest in the Bucks’ vacant coaching position but Milwaukee still is involved in its firstround series with the Celtics, trailing 3-2. The Bucks are being run by interim coach Joe Prunty, whose future is uncertain.
Meanwhile, the Knicks’ coaching search veered to Turkey where president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry were to meet with former Cavaliers coach David Blatt, who is now running Darussafaka Istanbul.
Sources have indicated the Knicks have strong feelings for the defensive-minded Budenholzer, who guided the Hawks to the playoffs in four of his first five seasons. The Knicks are well aware of the good work he did helping Tim Hardaway Jr.’s career when he played in Atlanta. The drawback is they have no prior connection to him, but the plus is he’s part of the Gregg Popovich coaching tree.
Budenholzer’s Hawks finished 24-58 this season, Budenholzer’s first without control over personnel after GM Travis Schlenk took over those responsibilities last summer. Schlenk will hold a press confer- ence Thursday but told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “It’s time for both of us to move on. We feel like it’s in the best interest of both parties.”
In a statement to ESPN, Budenholzer said, “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. 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.”
However, according to a league source, Budenholzer was disillusioned with the club’s direction, believing the next two seasons will resemble a Trust-The-Process Sixersstyle rebuild.
League executives believed the Hawks have wanted to get out of the final two years and $13 million left on Budenholzer’s pact since the franchise will not try to make the playoffs during that span.
Budenholzer reportedly met with team management and ownership Tuesday night when it was agreed to officially sever ties. It’s unknown the particulars of what appears to be a buyout.
In his five seasons with Atlanta, Budenholzer, the longtime former Spurs assistant, compiled a record of 213-197 (.520) during the regular season and 17-22 (.436) during the postseason.
Eight official candidates have emerged for the Knicks job — a list that grew to nine when Newsday reported the Knicks met with Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga last week. Also interviewed were Jerry Stackhouse, Mike Woodson, Mark Jackson, David Fizdale, Kenny Smith and Budenholzer. Blatt and Spurs assistant coach James Borrego will speak to the Knicks in the next few days.