Has Mike Budenholzer already decided on his next coaching job?

Mar 9, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Budenholzer is in demand by multiple teams, but he may have already decided on his next job.

Budenholzer is the frontrunner to become the new head coach of the Phoenix Suns, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The former Milwaukee Bucks coach is the Suns’ target, and a deal is expected to happen quickly.

Budenholzer is the Suns’ target and talks are expected to move quickly, sources tell ESPN. He’s been working to assemble a coaching staff for a return to a head coaching job and that process is also gathering momentum, sources said. https://t.co/PSWPi9C6Pr

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 9, 2024

The Suns fired Frank Vogel earlier Thursday, so it certainly sounds like they had Budenholzer in mind from the beginning. This also suggests they at least had an inkling that they would also be Budenholzer’s preferred landing spot.

This would not be welcome news for the Los Angeles Lakers, as Budenholzer had been frequently linked to that opening. That job would bring its own challenges, as coaching LeBron James and the Lakers would certainly bring more scrutiny than coaching the Suns, even if Phoenix has championship aspirations. The environment is simply different.

Budenholzer sat out all of last season after the Bucks fired him, seemingly waiting for an ideal landing spot to emerge. He may have it in Phoenix.