Report: Former Suns candidate Budenholzer to interview with Knicks
Apr 20, 2018, 2:34 PM | Updated: 6:49 pm
Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday, March 17, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Mike Budenholzer, the Atlanta Hawks head coach who met with the Suns regarding their head coaching vacancy this week, will interview with the New York Knicks after removing himself as a candidate for the same position in Phoenix, reports Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
The interview will take place on Sunday, reports ESPN’s Ian Begley.
Budenholzer, a Holbrook, Ariz., native, met with the Suns on Monday and Tuesday before ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported he removed himself from consideration.
Atlanta and Budenholzer appear open to a mutual breakup, but the Hawks have also told opposing teams they will pursue compensation if they allow their head coach out of his contract that has two more seasons for around $14 million remaining.
The New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic have current openings at head coach and could play a role in how Phoenix’s search goes.
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The Suns have reportedly interviewed former Memphis coach David Fizdale, their former interim coach Jay Triano and Budenholzer so far.
They have also reportedly spoken with former Charlotte coach Steve Clifford, former Orlando coach Frank Vogel and former Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt.
Additionally, Phoenix is expected to interview Utah Jazz assistant Igor Kokoskov, according to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro. The Suns have also shown interest in current TNT analyst and former Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale and San Antonio Spurs assistant James Borrego.
