Ranking the best available NBA head coaching candidates

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates after the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

9 of 10

OAKLAND, CA – MARCH 23: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks reacts to the officiating by the referees against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on March 23, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

2. Mike Budenholzer

Atlanta and Budenholzer decided mutually to part ways at the end of the season, as the Hawks appeared headed for an extended rebuild, a very different situation form the one Budenholzer signed up for when he was first hired.

As such, it stands to reason that another franchise would be more than happy to snap Budenholzer up and make him their next head coach. He isn’t likely to receive any more personnel power anytime soon, but that doesn’t impact his ability to coach on the floor.

It seems that the Milwaukee Bucks are the team most interested in ending Budenholzer’s brief unemployment. Pairing him with a unique talent like Giannis Antetokounmpo could be a perfect marriage. Budenholzer has the ability to help the “Greek Freak” maximize his talents on both ends of the floor.

It would be a major surprise if Budenholzer doesn’t begin the 2018-19 NBA season as some team’s head coach. The real question is how good a job he can manage to secure. He’s certainly tired of losing after presiding over the Hawks’ ugly rebuild last year. Budenholzer is a coach who is ready and able to help a team win right now.

Home/NBA