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Hawks Budenholzer Withdraws from Suns Head Coaching Position

By Chris Guest

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 6: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on April 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. Hawks won 103-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 6: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on April 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. Hawks won 103-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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After a brief flirtation period, Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Phoenix Suns head coaching position.

Bud was born in Holbrook, Arizona, and his parents still live in the state, but the team’s lack of direction over the past 6+ years must’ve turned Bud off. For now, the Hawks still have a terrific head coach in Bud.

However, the organization allowing him to even meet with the Suns means they are not particularly tied to him in the future, which begs the question: Should the team try to obtain a draft pick package from a team in need of a coach in exchange for Bud?

Budenholzer is widely respected across the league as an excellent basketball tactician, something that, say, the Grizzlies or Bucks could really use in the coaching chair. If the Hawks were able to obtain a decent draft pick in return for letting Bud leave with two years left on his contract (worth roughly $13 million), that might be the best of both worlds.

For his part, it is unclear if Bud wants to be a part of a lengthy rebuild, especially after news broke that a tanking team’s coach was berated for beating a playoff team late (sounds familiar, right?):

The future is clearly uncertain when it comes to Coach Bud in Atlanta, but one thing is clear: Atlanta will have 4 top-33 picks in the 2018 NBA draft, and there are a lot of interesting prospects that will be making their debuts in the 2018-19 season for Atlanta.

The team already has some interesting young pieces in John Collins and Taurean Prince, so this early part of the rebuild will be all about obtaining draft assets. The next step will be deciding who is worth keeping around to develop, turning a young core of 2-3 players into the next great Hawks team of the future.

Next: 15 Non-Lottery Draft Options for the Hawks

It would be nice if Coach Bud was coaching that next great Hawks team, but right now, it looks unlikely. Stay tuned as more news of Coach Bud’s future becomes available.

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