Report: Mike Budenholzer among finalists for Nets coaching job

The Brooklyn Nets are closing in on a new head coach, with Mike Budenholzer -- who led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA championship in 2021 -- among the candidates, The Athletic reported Saturday.

Associate head coaches Jordi Fernandez of the Sacramento Kings and Kevin Young of the Phoenix Suns also are on the Nets' short list to replace Jacque Vaughn, per the report. Owner Joe Tsai will meet with all three in person.

The Nets were 21-33 when Vaughn was fired Feb. 19, and interim coach Kevin Ollie has an 11-16 record as the team prepares to close the season Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Ollie was among the candidates considered and has met with Tsai, per The Athletic.

The Nets will miss the playoffs after five consecutive postseason appearances -- four of which ended with first-round losses.

Budenholzer, 54, has a 484-317 (.604) record with the Atlanta Hawks (2013-18) and Bucks (2018-23). He won NBA Coach of the Year awards in 2015 and 2019.

Fernandez and Young never have been head coaches.

The new coach will be the Nets' fourth head coach since 2016, following Kenny Atkinson, Steve Nash and Vaughn.