Suns HC Rumors: Hawks Coach Mike Budenholzer Withdraws from Candidate List

Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer has withdrawn his name from the running to be the Phoenix Suns' next head coach, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

As Wojnarowski added, the remaining candidates are Jay Triano, David Fizdale, Steve Clifford, Kevin McHale, Frank Vogel.

Budenholzer had met with Suns general manager Ryan McDonough and owner Robert Sarver on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the job, but the situation apparently wasn't good enough to leave his current position.

The 48-year-old, who is originally from Arizona, has two years remaining on his contract with the Hawks with about $13 million owed. The fact that the Hawks gave him permission to interview with another team indicates they wouldn't mind much if he left.

Atlanta finished this past season with an Eastern Conference-worst record of 24-58, although Budenholzer is 213-197 in his five years with the organization. He was the league's Coach of the Year in 2014-15 after leading the squad to a 60-22 record.

While his experience both with the Hawks and his 17 years as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs would have made him a top candidate for the Suns, they will have to look in other directions.

Triano showed management what he can do as the interim coach for most of the season, leading Phoenix to a 21-58 record after Earl Watson was fired after an 0-3 start.

Vogel has the most experience of the remaining candidates but was just fired after two unsuccessful years with the Orlando Magic. McHale and Clifford also bring experience, although consistency had been a problem in their careers.

Fizdale might be the most intriguing option after he spent just 101 games as the head coach of the Grizzlies, going 50-51 before being fired early this season. The 43-year-old has a lot of experience in the NBA but hasn't gotten much of a chance to succeed as a head coach.

The Suns had the league's worst record this year (21-61), but there is young talent on the roster in Devin Booker, Josh Jackson and TJ Warren.

The front office needs to find the right person to hopefully bring the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010.