Report: Raptors, Bucks both want Mike Budenholzer as next head coach
Mike Budenholzer parted ways with Atlanta Hawks last month following a disappointing 24-58 season, but he may have his pick of at least two other head coaching jobs this summer.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday that Budenholzer has emerged as the “focus” of the head coaching searches for both the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks.
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
The Bucks fired Jason Kidd early in the season, and the Raptors just announced over the weekend that they are parting ways with Dwane Casey. Casey led the team to a franchise-best 59 wins during the regular season, but Toronto was swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs.
Budenholzer led the Hawks to the playoffs in his first four seasons with the team, including a trip to the conference finals in 2015. He’s well respected around the league for his ability to develop players, and the Bucks were already reportedly hoping to beat out one team for his services. They may now have to convince Budenholzer that their situation is more attractive than the one in Toronto, which shouldn’t be all that difficult given that Milwaukee has Giannis Antetokounmpo.