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What a stunner this is: After what seemingly was positive momentum throughout the last week in relation to the Phoenix Suns’ search for a new head coach, it took an unexpected turn Thursday night.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi, Mike Budenholzer has withdrawn himself from consideration for the current opening.
Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer has withdrawn from consideration for the Phoenix Suns head coaching job, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2018
Sources: Among the coaching candidates the Suns are still considering: Interim coach Jay Triano, David Fizdale, Steve Clifford, Kevin McHale, Frank Vogel. https://t.co/m55OviqGWH
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2018
Budenholzer met with general manager Ryan McDonough and owner Robert Sarver throughout Monday and Tuesday, but they then moved on to interviewing interim head coach Jay Triano less than 48 hours later.
I have plenty of questions here: Did Budenholzer use the Suns? Did Sarver undercut McDonough and was unwilling to pay compensation for this to be completed? Many of these likely will go unanswered, but this news made my jaw drop when I read it across my Twitter feed.
Stay tuned, because all of a sudden this offseason took a quick turn in terms of expected results.
Will Vice President of Basketball Operations James Jones come in to save the day by securing his former coach in David Fizdale? An under the radar candidate to keep an eye on is James Borrego of the San Antonio Spurs. He fits the billing of young up-and-coming assistant groomed to be a Brad Stevens type under Gregg Popovich.
Right now, that is my Plan B, but the Suns need to hit this hire out of the park, even after losing out on Budenholzer.