Mike Budenholzer officially became the hottest coaching candidate after resigning from his post as coach of the Atlanta Hawks, given the trajectory the franchise hoped to employ in a Trust-The-Process-like rebuild for the foreseeable future.

The Milwaukee Bucks are expected to be the next team to enter “The Bud Bowl” and “pounce” at the chance to offer him the job, as interim coach Joe Prunty stands little chance to be named the future coach moving forward, likely just making use of borrowed time, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post.

Prunty finished up 21-16, taking over the helm after Jason Kidd was fired mid-season. The Bucks managed to secure the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, drawing a matchup against the injury-plagued Boston Celtics and losing in seven games.

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Former Howard University and Temple University star Steve Settle III signs an Exhibit 10 deal with the Miami Heat.
Miami Heat sign former Howard University star to contractRandall Barnes ·
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) drives the ball against Tennessee Volunteers guard Chaz Lanier (2) during the first half at State Farm Center.
Kasparas Jakucionis’ ‘excited’ outlook on improving key traits with HeatZachary Weinberger ·
Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman looks at the score against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter of game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Nuggets letting G League Rookie of the Year goRichard Pereira ·
Will Riley, Tre Johnson, and Jahmir Watkins all smile in Wizards jerseys
Washington Wizards 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickJoshua Valdez ·
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) celebrates with forward Kyle Anderson (1) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Target Center.
Naz Reid to sign new $125 million contract with TimberwolvesTroy Finnegan ·
Dallas Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg speaks to the media during a press conference at the Dallas Mavericks Practice Facility.
Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg makes first Dallas appearance at Wings-Fever clashRichard Pereira ·

Budenholzer had his eyes on coaching the New York Knicks after a source close to him noted he “wants to live in New York” as one of the key reasons for his link to the franchise.

As a former disciple of Gregg Popovich, Budenholzer is known for his defensive schemes and well-touted for his approach to the game.

The Bucks job is seen as the most enticing in the market, given the star power in the roster and the possibility to coach a generational talent like Giannis Antetokounmpo.