Following the dismissal of Jacque Vaughn as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, speculation mounts regarding his potential replacement, with former Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer emerging as a leading candidate.
While interim coach Kevin Ollie has assumed the role for the time being, Nets general manager Sean Marks has hinted at a thorough search for a permanent head coach, noting that “it’ll be a robust search,” as shared by Michael Scotto on The HoopsHype Podcast.
Budenholzer’s name has surfaced prominently in discussions among league executives and sources, thanks to his experience and success in the NBA.
“However, in talking with many rival executives around the league and other sources, there’s a belief that a former head coach would most likely make sense if you’re trying to retool instead of rebuild,” Scotto said.
“Mike Budenholzer is the name at the tip of everyone’s tongue when discussing potential Nets coaching candidates due to his Spurs tree connection, winning a championship, and he’s arguably the most notable name on the market.”
James Borrego is also among the candidates mentioned, offering another experienced option for the coaching role.
Despite some speculation around college coach Jay Wright, the likelihood of his transition to the NBA appears slim, given the complexities involved.
Ollie, on the other hand, has been identified as a rising coaching talent, having garnered interest from multiple NBA teams before landing with the Nets.
