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Budenholzer, Hawks agree to part ways


The Atlanta Hawks and head coach Mike Budenholzer mutually agreed to part ways, the team announced Wednesday night.

Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution of the move, "(I) feel like it's in the best interest of both parties."

Budenholzer told ESPN, "I am grateful for the five years that I spent as coach of the Atlanta Hawks, and will always cherish the incredible contributions, commitment and accomplishments of the players that I was fortunate enough to work with here. From ownership to management, support staff to the community, I'll look back with great pride on what we were able to achieve together with the Hawks."

The Hawks previously gave Budenholzer permission to interview with the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks for their head-coaching vacancies. He met with the Suns for two days before pulling his name out of the running last week.

The New York Post reported Budenholzer interviewed with the Knicks on Sunday and wants to become the team's new head coach, quoting one source saying, "New York's his top choice. If they offered him the job, he'd say yes. He wants to live in New York."

Budenholzer, 48, spent the last five years with the Hawks, going 213-197 while making four trips to the playoffs and winning Coach of the Year in 2014-15. He also served as the team's president of basketball operations until 2017, when Schlenk was hired as general manager and took over personnel decisions.

A native of Holbrook, Ariz., Budenholzer had two years and more than $14 million remaining on his contract with Atlanta.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that assistant coaches expected to be potential candidates for to replace Budenholzer include current the Charlotte Hornets' Stephen Silas, the Portland Trail Blazers' Nate Tibbetts and David Vanterpool and the San Antonio Spurs' Ime Udoka and James Borrego. — Field Level Media/Reuters