After five seasons under Mike Budenholzer, the Hawks have parted ways with the 2014-15 coach of the year. After an interview with the Suns and a reported interest in the Knicks head coaching vacancy, many fans figured the Budenholzer era was drawing to a close. This was made official Wednesday night, with Adrian Wojnarowski reporting first — and sighting the split was “mutual.”
The Atlanta Hawks and coach Mike Budenholzer have mutually agreed to part ways, league sources told ESPN. Story soon on ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 26, 2018
This brings disappointment to many Hawks fans as coach Bud was a fan favorite and while he will (and should) be missed, it also brings excitement for a new coach.
Atlanta will be looking for a new coach for the first time since the summer of 2013. Luckily for them there seems to be a good amount of coaches worthy to fill the shoes of Budenholzer. Here are eight potential options to take charge of the Hawks.
Ettore Messina
The blue chip of the 2018 coaching carousel. Messina is regarded as one of the best Euro Basketball coaches of all time, having four championships in the overseas league while amassing multiple coach of the year awards. He is already in the Italian Basketball Hall of Fame.
In the NBA world Messina first joined the Lakers’ coaching staff in 2011, as a consultant, but that only lasted a year and he returned to Moscow. He remained there until he joined the Spurs’ coaching staff in 2014 as an assistant coach.
Being a former Spurs assistant is something multiple NBA head coaches have on their resumes’ (including Mike Budenholzer) and the 58-year-old will look to be the next to leave San Antionio to take on his own team.
Messina took over for Greg Popovich after his family tragedy in the playoffs and coached in three games, leading the outmatched Spurs to one win over the defending champion Warriors.
After the series concluded, veterans Manu Ginobili and Pau Gasol both expressed their confidence in Messina as a head coach.
Gasol said, “ Messina has been one of the top head coaches in Europe. It’s hard to get that opportunity in the NBA, but if there’s someone who should get it, it should be him.” Manu added: “I think the time has come, for sure, he’s very capable and experienced.”
After being one of — if not the — best Euroleague coaches of all time, getting that kind of praise from well-respected players is just the endorsement Messina needed to break into the head coaching world.
David Fizdale
In one of the strangest firings of the past season, Fizdale was dumped just 19 games into his second season as head coach of the Grizzlies. Fizdale, a former Hawks assistant coach, was hired to his first head coaching gig in Memphis after being part of the Heat coaching staff during the LeBron era in Miami.
During his first (and only) full season as Grizzlies coach he led them to 43 wins, which is respectable, but not outright mind-blowing by any means. After a poor start to this season however, Fizdale was out before the new year.
There were many rumors of the details behind the firing, but none really made much sense, besides a potential rift with Marc Gasol. LeBron himself was curious on the firing, calling his former coach a “fall guy.”
I need some answers. Feels like my man was a fall guy
— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 27, 2017
Regardless of the circumstances, Fizdale is looking for a new job.
He’s already been linked to the open jobs in Phoenix, Charlotte and New York; Atlanta should be soon to follow. He’s a prime candidate for a second chance as a skipper.
Ime Udoka
Another Spurs assistant getting his rounds is Ime Udoka. Udoka, a seven-year vet as a former player, racked up playing time in L.A, New York, Sacramento and Portland before ending his career in San Antonio and joining the coaching staff upon retiring.
At just 40, Udoka would rank among the league’s youngest head coaches with Luke Walton and Tyronn Lue. Some teams might be turned off by a young and inexperienced coach, but Atlanta hasn’t been turned off by this before, however, hiring Budenholzer at age 43 and a young coach could bode well with the youth movement of the roster.
Udoka is perhaps the most unproven of potential Bud replacements, but he has a high ceiling and while he does come from under Popovich’s wing, he’s only been an assistant for six years. He could be a home run signing but he could be a risky one as well.
Jay Wright
The Villanova coach is quickly making a name for himself as one of the best college basketball coaches of recent memory. Just like the Celtics did with Brad Stevens a few years ago, pairing a coach known for developing young talent with a rebuilding team is usually a recipe for success.
The Knicks are a step ahead of the Hawks however, showing interest basically immediately after firing former coach Jeff Hornacek. Wright’s agent stepped in quickly, telling the New York Post: “He’s under contract with Villanova and he’s very, very happy there, There’s no plans to leave.’’
While that sounds pretty definitive, Wright himself hasn’t made a comment. If he were ever to make the leap to the pros, this year would be the year. He has the rare chance to follow three of his players into the NBA as Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Donte DiVincenzo are all expected to be first round picks in the upcoming draft.
If he does suddenly show interest in joining the NBA, the Hawks could share mutual interest with Wright because of their young roster loaded with potential and the possibility to continue coaching one (or more) of his former players.
Darvin Ham
If the Hawks were to stay in-house for their new head coach, Darvin Ham would be the top candidate. The former NBA journeyman who won a championship with the 2004 Pistons and was a member of the Hawks back in 2002-03 could be moving up the ranks this summer.
He’s already been linked to the Hornets’ vacancy and Atlanta might need to make a head coach offer just to keep him on the staff.
Ham has good experience as a coach, first as an assistant then head coach in the D-League, then as an assistant in L.A. with the Lakers before joining the Hawks in 2013.
Keeping the search in-house might be good for the young roster, providing a familiar face for the youngsters while keeping a similar system could be beneficial instead of making a complete overhaul. Ham might be the bridge Atlanta needs from the Budenholzer era into the next playoff appearance.
Stephen Silas
The lead assistant of the Hornets could be on his way out if they decide to go a different route than him in their own coaching search. Silas is well-versed in NBA culture, being either an assistant coach or a scout since 1999.
He’s been known around the league as somewhat of a guard whisperer, helping develop perimeter players like Stephen Curry and C.J Watson during his time in Golden State. Silas is even credited with helping develop Curry’s famed pregame routine.
This could be an exciting offer to pair Silas with Dennis Schröder, Tyler Dorsey or any other young guard they might take in the draft.
Speaking of the Golden State connection, that’s something Silas shares with Hawks GM Travis Schlenk, and they worked together on the Warriors staff for four years. We’ll see if that connection is enough to get him the job, but it could easily land him an interview.
James Borrego
Yet another Spurs assistant who may be ready to make the leap. Borrego has actually recently been a head coach, acting as the Orlando interim coach in 2015. After that stint he rejoined the Spurs as an assistant coach.
He’s already set up an interview with New York and his name has been brought up for the Phoenix job as well.
There’s not much to say about Borrego that hasn’t been said for the other former Spurs assistants on this list, they have all been successful as assistants to Pop, and while not every one will be a home run, just being a part of that esteemed organization seems to at least garner some interest for a head coach opening.
David Blatt
Former Cavs coach David Blatt recently showed interest in a return to the NBA, and if he does return, Atlanta should be interested. Blatt went 83-40 in his short tenure in Cleveland, and helped lead them to the NBA Finals.
As with seemingly every former NBA coach, Blatt has been linked to the Knicks opening, and if the Knicks go with someone else, Blatt’s return to the NBA could land him in Atlanta.
Blatt definitely didn’t get the job he signed up for in Cleveland, and with LeBron coming home just a month after Blatt became head coach, he was never able to get full control of the team. Atlanta’s young and currently “star-less” team could be intriguing for someone who really just wants to leave a mark in the NBA.
Next: 12 Possible Free Agency Targets for Hawks
Blatt will eventually be back in the Association, but his city of choice is still to be determined. Atlanta could be interested on taking a chance on Blatt. Hey, technically he’s an NBA Champion!