Championship Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, Sacramento Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernandez and Phoenix Suns associate head coach Kevin Young are among the finalists for the Brooklyn Nets coaching job, said league sources. Athleticism.
Nets owner Joe Tsai is holding in-person meetings with all three finalists, and a final decision looms in the near future, these sources said.
Nets general manager Sean Marks and Tsai embarked on a coaching search after parting ways with Jacque Vaughn on Feb. 19 and interviewed a long list of candidates.
Sources briefed on the matter said interim coach Kevin Ollie had been considered as part of the Nets’ process, along with several other coaches, including Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn and associate head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans James Borrego, but the organization has zeroed in on new candidates as finalists for the full-time position.
Ollie was named interim coach of the Nets on Feb. 20 and compiled an 11-16 record heading into Sunday’s regular-season finale in Philadelphia. He was also interviewed as part of the process and met with Tsai, according to league sources.
Armed with a talented two-way player in Mikal Bridges, future draft picks, salary cap space and flexibility in Brooklyn, the Nets have been an attractive proposition for potential prospects.
Budenholzer compiled a record of 484-317 (.604) over 10 seasons coaching in Atlanta (2013-18) and Milwaukee (2018-23), leading the Bucks to the 2021 NBA title. He is a two-time NBA award winner Coach of the Year; for the Hawks in 2015 and the Bucks in 2019.
Fernandez and Young are considered two of the most successful assistant coaches in the NBA and have both been strong candidates in previous head coaching searches.
Since becoming Nets general manager in 2016, Marks has hired Kenny Atkinson, Steve Nash and Vaughn as full-time coach.
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