Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Mike Budenholzer, the coach who led the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 title and has a track record of success, is in the running for the head coaching job with the Brooklyn Nets. Joining him as finalists are Jordi Fernandez, associate head coach for the Sacramento Kings, and Kevin Young, associate head coach for the Phoenix Suns. Rumors suggest there might be more candidates, but these are the confirmed contenders.
Nets general manager Sean Marks, in collaboration with owner Joe Tsai, will make the final decision on the new coach. This news comes amidst earlier rumors about Marks' job security, which now seems stable. Budenholzer's connection to Marks through the coaching lineage of Gregg Popovich adds intrigue, as does his proven ability to build successful teams. He crafted a 60-win team in Atlanta and was named Coach of the Year in 2015. His tenure in Milwaukee, culminating in a championship win in 2021, speaks volumes about his coaching prowess.
One knock against Budenholzer is his perceived inflexibility and slow adjustments in the playoffs, which led to his departure from the Bucks after a first-round loss to Miami last year. However, these are considered good problems to have for the Nets, who are seeking a coach to establish a strong team identity and elevate their performance. Similar to Tom Thibodeau's impact on the New York Knicks, Budenholzer could raise the Nets' floor and provide stability.
Jordi Fernandez, currently linked to the Charlotte coaching vacancy, is also busy this summer as the head coach of the Canadian National Team headed to the Paris Olympics. He boasts a strong coaching background, including time as a top assistant for Michael Malone in Denver and head coaching experience in the G-League with the Canton Charge. Kevin Young, a long-time Suns assistant, is highly regarded by many front office executives and has previous G-League head coaching experience.
The new coach will replace Jacque Vaughn, who was fired in February. Although Kevin Ollie served as the interim coach and was initially considered for the permanent position, he is not among the finalists for the job. The Nets hope the new coach can maximize the talent on the roster and position the team as a serious contender in the Eastern Conference. Marks will have his work cut out for him in the coming months.
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