5 NBA coaches who can replace Mike Budenholzer at Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks fired Mike Budenholzer on Thursday. “Bud” was axed after the top-ranked Bucks, who had the best record in the NBA, were eliminated in five games by the eighth-seeded Miami Heat.
Milwaukee could have a different look next season, particularly with Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez hitting free agency. Despite that, coaching Giannis Antetokounmpo and his teammates remains an attractive job.
BREAKING: The Milwaukee Bucks dismissed coach Mike Budenholzer, sources tell ESPN. Budenholzer is out after the East’s top-seed suffered a first-round loss to the Miami Heat. https://t.co/wQp0Zk3lxi
With Budenholzer’s exit, it will not be long before the team starts to look for his replacement. Here are a few names that they could consider:
#5 Becky Hammon
Becky Hammon is a name the Milwaukee Bucks are very familiar with. She was interviewed in 2017 for the team’s vacant general manager position. The Bucks, however, didn’t name her as one of the finalists for the job.
Before Mike Budenholzer was hired in 2018, Hammon was also on the list of candidates to coach the team.
The Milwaukee Bucks plan to interview Spurs assistant Becky Hammon for the franchise's head coach opening, league sources tell @wojespn. https://t.co/Twy2NCKGQv
Hammon learned the ropes of coaching from no less than San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who happens to be Budenholzer’s mentor. The former WNBA star has reportedly been eyed also by the Toronto Raptors to replace Nick Nurse.
Becky Hammon currently coaches the Las Vegas Aces, who recently won the WNBA title. She’s likely to vacate it to become the first woman head coach in the NBA.
#4 Kenny Atkinson
Kenny Atkinson has been sought after by several NBA teams after he helped the Golden State Warriors win the championship last season as an assistant coach. He previously coached the Brooklyn Nets but was fired after Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving wanted Steve Nash to help them lead the team.
Atkinson is a veteran tactician who isn’t afraid to coach his team hard. He could be the voice that the Milwaukee Bucks would need after this season’s stunning collapse against the Miami Heat.