Report: Mike Budenholzer's Job Security Wasn't Discussed by Bucks Before Heat Series

Mike Budenolzer might be on the hot seat after his Milwaukee Bucks inexplicably lost in five games to the Miami Heat in the opening round of the playoffs, but he wasn't coming into the postseason.

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, "There was no tangible discussion, sources said, on Budenholzer's footing before the series with Miami unlike in past playoffs."

Budenholzer's job status is now up in the air yet again, however.

Per Fischer, the first-round exit "has suddenly thrust Budenholzer's status back under consideration, league sources told Yahoo Sports, as Milwaukee faces several key roster decisions, and assistant coach Charles Lee garners interest from various rival head coaching posts."

Per that report, however, general manager Jon Horst is said to have a "close relationship" with the head coach and one of Budenholzer's main detractors, former owner Marc Lasry, already sold his 25 percent stake in the franchise.

So unless Giannis Antetokounmpo pushes for a change at head coach, it's possible Budenholzer—who has led the Bucks to five straight playoff berths, a title in 2020-21 season and a 271-120 regular season record—will weather this storm.

Whether he should, however, is another question entirely.

There were several questionable tactical decisions by Budenholzer against the Heat. Jae Crowder, a key midseason acquisition, only appeared in four games, getting just over 10 minutes per game off the bench.

And his decision not to take a timeout after Jimmy Butler's game-tying bucket in Game 5, with 0.5 seconds to go, was a major head-scratcher. Calling a timeout would have advanced the ball and given the Bucks a far greater chance at a final opportunity to win the game.

Even the Heat were stunned:

"Yeah, we need to call a timeout there," Budenholzer acknowledged after the game.

But the team's often disorganized and ugly offensive possessions late in that game, both in regulation and overtime, also were scrutinized.

Budenholzer has some questions to answer, in other words. His pedigree and past title with the Bucks may buy him another season. But there's little doubt that bowing out in the first round as the top overall seed is a major organizational failure, and Budenholzer may ultimately be the scapegoat.