NBA Rumors: Mike Budenholzer, James Borrego Linked to Nets' Full-Time HC Job

Former Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer and former Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego could reportedly be among the candidates for the Brooklyn Nets' permanent head-coaching vacancy.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported Budenholzer and Borrego's connection to Nets general manager Sean Marks via their time with the San Antonio Spurs could give them a leg up. Budenholzer was an assistant in San Antonio from 1996 to 2013, while Borrego had two stints under Gregg Popovich (2003-2010 and 2015-2018).

The Nets fired Jacque Vaughn on Monday and named Kevin Ollie as his interim replacement. Vaughn went 64-65 in less than two full seasons with the Nets.

Ollie, who won a national championship as the head coach of UConn, will be getting his first crack at an NBA head-coaching job.

Budenholzer had successful tenures in both Atlanta and Milwaukee but was fired after five seasons at both stops. He has a 484-317 overall record, making the playoffs in nine of his 10 seasons as a head coach and winning the 2021 NBA championship. The Bucks fired Budenholzer after they were upset by the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs.

The Bucks haven't exactly fared well in the aftermath of that decision. They already fired Budenholzer's replacement, Adrian Griffin, and installed Doc Rivers as his replacement.

Borrego went 138-163 in four seasons with the Hornets. His ouster in 2022 was a bit of a surprise given the fact Charlotte went 43-39 and narrowly missed the playoffs. Charlotte has taken a seismic step back since Borrego's exit, going 27-55 last season and sitting at 13-41 this season.

Borrego is still being paid by the Hornets while serving as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans.