A new report suggests that the man who could be up for several head coaching jobs this summer lost out on the Brooklyn Nets opening due to having an outrageous asking price.
The Nets finished ninth in the Eastern Conference NBA standings this season with a 32-50 record. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving off the roster, the hope was that the lack of drama could breed success for the team and head coach Jacque Vaughn. That unfortunately was not the case despite a breakout season from young star Cam Thomas.
- Mike Budenholzer record: 801-484
That is why the organization ended up parting ways with Vaughn in February and immediately began their head coach search when the season ended. Heading into the week, former Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, Kings associate coach Jordi Fernandez, and Suns associate coach Kevin Young were seen as favorites for the job.
However, despite an impressive resume for Budenholzer that includes a championship win a few years ago, the Brooklyn Nets chose Fernandez to be their next head coach. It seems like Fernandez was not their top choice but his asking price was far more reasonable than the one-time Milwaukee coach.
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Did Mike Budenholzer price himself out of the Brooklyn Nets job?
On Thursday, New York Post Nets reporter Brian Lewis claimed “From what I’m led to believe, [Budenholzer’s] contract demands were rather high. A lot of money for a lot of years. The numbers I’ve heard that I can’t share are probably beyond even my wildest expectations.”
In the same report, Hoops Hype NBA insider Michael Scotto added that Budenholzer was liked by Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai due to the championship pedigree he could bring to the team after going with first-time head coach Steve Nash during their last coaching search.
After the Nets job, the Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, and Portland Trail Blazers jobs are or could soon be available. Budenholzer would certainly be a favorite for those jobs because of the impressive success he had overseeing the Milwaukee Bucks.
However, it will be interesting to see if he costs himself more opportunities with an allegedly high asking price in a weak head coach market.
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