Bucks Opening Creates Potential Opportunity For Nick Nurse

The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly dismissed Mike Budenholzer, creating a potential job opportunity for former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse

Nick Nurse might suddenly have some options.

The former Toronto Raptors head coach had been considered a frontrunner to sign with the Houston Rockets last month but Houston’s decision to sign Ime Udoka appeared to leave Nurse essentially without anywhere to turn to. That is until Thursday when the Milwaukee Bucks reportedly opted to part ways with Mike Budenholzer, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Milwaukee’s first-round loss to the Miami Heat and multiple coaching gaffs by Budenholzer this year and in previous playoffs appear to have led to his departure. Budenholzer had led the Bucks to a 2021 NBA championship and earned his second career Coach of the Year honor in 2019 with the Bucks.

Nurse is likely to be among the candidates to replace Budenholzer as he remains the most coveted coach on the open market. Nurse had led Toronto past Milwaukee in 2019 en route to an NBA championship.

Budenholzer could also be a possibility for Toronto’s head coaching job should he decide to continue coaching next season. The Raptors were believed to be interested in Budenholzer in 2018 before he opted to sign with the Bucks and Toronto eventually signed Nurse.

The Detroit Pistons are the only other currently vacant head coaching job but it’s extremely unlikely Nurse joins the Pistons while Dwane Casey remains with the organization in a front-office capacity. 

Further Reading

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