Speaking of the Spurs, the Atlanta Hawks made a big announcement Tuesday, having settled on a new head coach, Mike Budenholzer, who has been an intergal part of San Antonio’s coaching staff over the past decade. More from NBA.com’s official release: “Budenholzer, 43, spent the past 19 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, including the final 17 seasons as an assistant coach. For the last six seasons, he has served as the team’s no. 1 assistant to current San Antonio Head Coach Gregg Popovich, the longest-tenured head coach in major professional sports and third-winningest coach (by percentage – .681) in NBA history behind only Phil Jackson and Billy Cunningham.”
“I have been extremely fortunate to be a part of the San Antonio Spurs organization for the last 19 years. I knew it would have to be a tremendous situation for me to leave and clearly coming to Atlanta as the head coach of the Hawks is perfect for me,” said Budenholzer. “Ownership’s commitment to taking this organization to the next level and creating a unique and special culture, partnering with a general manager like Danny Ferry who I have great respect for, and building a roster that has terrific potential because of the existing core and the ensuing flexibility presents a rare and uniquely positive opportunity.”
Despite being on the losing end of the Western Conference Finals, Lionel Hollins’ future with the Memphis Grizzlies is still uncertain: “Hollins’ contract with the Grizzlies ends on June 30, and the Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets andMilwaukee Bucks are expected to ask for permission to speak to him about their coaching openings, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Hollins’ wish is to stay put in Memphis. “I hope things get worked out quickly. I love our team and the possibilities,” Hollins texted Yahoo! Sports after the Grizzlies’ 93-86 Game 4 loss to the Spurs. Hollins made $2.3 million this season in the last year of his contract, a source said. While the Grizzlies have interest in retaining Hollins, a contract extension has yet to be offered to him. Hollins and Grizzlies chief executive officer Jason Levien will discuss Hollins’ future with the franchise this week, but it’s uncertain if a contract extension will be offered, a source said. Until Hollins’ contract ends, the Grizzlies have the right to deny permission to other teams interested in interviewing him.”
For more insight on what might be next for Lionel Hollins, as well as a Dwight Howard update, check out Chris Sheridan initial report: “Hollins’ name popped up in connection with the Bucks job the same day that Jim Boylan was dismissed, and the Nets would like to sit down and chat with as many worthy candidates as possible as they plot their future course — which will not include a run at Dwight Howard via a sign-and-trade unless they can first get their payroll cut by $20 million, which would put them below the luxury tax apron and would allow them to do a S&T. The Los Angeles Clippers have an opening, as do the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons — although the educated guess here is that the Pistons are waiting for the Indiana Pacers to be eliminated so that they can hire Brian Shaw, while the Hawks job will remain vacant until Atlanta can make a run at Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer, who will be occupied while San Antonio awaits the opening of the NBA Finals on June 6.”
The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the teams rumored to be interested in Hollins, and will cast a wide net in their coaching search: “The Los Angeles Clippers have cast a wide net in the first week of their coaching search, and it includes names previously thought to be outside their price range such as ESPN broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy, Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins and Indiana Pacers associate head coach Brian Shaw, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the team’s thinking. The Clippers also are thinking about requesting permission to speak with at least one other current NBA head coach, one source said. Former Phoenix Suns coach Alvin Gentry, former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott and former Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan are also on the team’s radar, sources said. “They seem to be thinking big,” according to a league source who has talked to the Clippers recently.”
