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Since the end of the 2017-18 season, the New York Knicks have been in the market for a new head coach. The team has already begun to cast a wide net for their potential replacement for Jeff Hornacek.
This has seen several familiar names become brought up in the conversation as possible targets for the team to pursue over the next several weeks. According to Michael Cummingham of The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, the New York Knicks are set to interview with current Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer.
Knicks plan to talk to Hawks coach Budenholzer about their vacancy, according to league source. Still not ruled out that Budenholzer eventually returns to ATL.
— Michael Cunningham (@MCunninghamAJC) April 20, 2018
Budenholzer has also received interest from the Phoenix Suns to possibly feel their open vacancy that he yet to be addressed since Earl Watson was let to go early last season. However, he has already removed himself from the running in that search from the Suns.
He has been the Hawks' head coach over the last five seasons where he had initially experienced much success that included earning the NBA Coach of the Year award back in the 2015-16 campaign after helping lead the team to a 60-win season and the No.1 spot in the Eastern Conference. However, Atlanta is coming off a disappointing season where they missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season while finishing with one of the worst records in the league.
Meanwhile, the Knicks have continued to struggle to move the franchise in the right direction after having now missed the postseason in five straight years. This includes four straight years with at least 50 losses while finishing no greater than third place in the Atlantic division. New York is looking to get another established coach in place to help turn the ship around toward becoming relevant in the Eastern Conference once again.
What should be noted from this entire process is that Budenholzer could return to the Hawks even after interviewing with both the Suns and Knicks for their open vacancy. He is still under contract for two more years that is work around $14 million
