The Milwaukee Bucks have had their fair share of head coaching drama this season. Mike Budenholzer, who led the Bucks to their first NBA Championship in 50 years, was fired following the Bucks’ first round exit against the Miami Heat last season. He was replaced by Adrian Griffin, who was fired after a 30-13 start and reports of a dysfunctional locker room.
After Joe Prunty led the Bucks to a 2-1 record as the interim head coach, Doc Rivers was brought in to lead Milwaukee for the rest of the season and beyond. Unfortunately, the Bucks once again found themselves out of the postseason early after a 4-2 opening round loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Of course, the series may have gone differently if Giannis Antetokounmpo had been healthy and able to play. Unfortunately, a soleus strain kept him out of the series.
Now, as more and more teams start to end their postseason runs, one former Bucks coach named above may be in the running for a new job.
Former Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer Is Being Eyed for the Phoenix Suns and Los Angles Lakers Jobs
Apr 19, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer looks on during the second quarter against the Miami Heat during game two of the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Due to several frustrating first round exits, there are a number of teams that are currently in the market for a head coach. The Los Angeles Lakers fired former Bucks player and assistant coach Darvin Ham after just two seasons. The Phoenix Suns fired Frank Vogel, who previously coached the Lakers to a NBA Championship, after just one season in the desert.
According to a report today, the Suns are eyeing Mike Budenholzer, who defeated them in the 2021 NBA Finals, as their next head coach. It is rumored that they would be the favorites to sign him as he is an Arizona native.
That being said, one former-NBA player believes that Coach Bud would be a better fit for the Lakers because of how he would handle LeBron James.
Evan Turner Believes Former Milwaukee Bucks Coach Mike Budenholzer Should Coach the Los Angeles Lakers
Evan Turner, who played 11 seasons in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, Portland Trailblazers, and Atlanta Hawks, recently said on his podcast that he thinks that Budenholzer would be the best candidate for the Lakers head coaching job because he has the confidence needed to stand up to and coach LeBron James:
“I’m a [Mike] Budenholzer fan… to deal with Bron you gotta be a confident individual.”
Evan Turner thinks Coach Bud should be the Lakers’ next head coach 👀 pic.twitter.com/kbtDwc9jQq
— Point Forward (@pointforward) May 9, 2024
“I’m randomly a Budenholzer fan. I’m not going to lie. [He] has a way of communicating with people and to deal with Bron, you really have to be able to deal with Bron. Not so much manage, but just be confident individual.
“And Bron has to be able to trust you. At this latter part of LeBron’s career or whatever is going on, I think you need a great mind and a great offensive-mind to really tailor-make from Bron where he doesn’t really have to carry the load or torch playmaking.”
Budenholzer, of course, has experience coaching on of the best players in the NBA in Giannis. He certainly has the communication skills needed to work with high-profile players.
The question is whether or not the Lakers, or any NBA team, is going to be willing meet Coach Bud’s asking price. Earlier this season, he was in the conversation to become the next head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, but was deemed too expensive by their front office.
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