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Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors reportedly competing for Mike Budenholzer’s services

By Adam McGee

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 6: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on April 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 6: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on April 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors may be set for a battle for Mike Budenholzer’s services as both teams look to hire a new head coach.

News of Dwane Casey’s firing by the Toronto Raptors always seemed like it had the potential to have an influence on the Milwaukee Bucks’ plans for a new head coach, and reports early on Monday morning will do nothing to suggest otherwise.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, former Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer is becoming the focus of both the Bucks and Raptors in their respective coaching searches, with both parties set to talk with him in the coming days.

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As Wojnarowski alludes to, Budenholzer already met with the Bucks in the middle of last week, as a part of Milwaukee’s first round of interviews.

Matt Velzaquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel previously outlined the Bucks’ process, noting the first round of interviews was being operated by general manager Jon Horst and his front office team, with the next stage set to involve a shortlist of just three or four candidates who engage to further interviews involving ownership.

Wojnarowski’s report suggests Budenholzer will be among the smaller group of candidates receiving further consideration from the Bucks. The mention of a second meeting with Budenholzer being likely to take place early this week could certainly be viewed as a sense of increased urgency on the part of Milwaukee too.

(UPDATE: The Bucks will meet with Budenholzer on Tuesday, per Matt Velazquez)

Entering into the offseason, the head coaching opening in Milwaukee was widely viewed as the most appealing job vacancy in the NBA, due in large part to the ability of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. That may well still be the case, particularly as the Bucks have a path to longer-term success that isn’t tough to envision, but the changes made in Toronto certainly create room for debate.

While an argument can be made that the Raptors job isn’t all that appealing thanks to a veteran core who’ve fallen short in the playoffs year after year, they are still a team with a consistent track record of regular season success, who also boast an impressive collection of young role players on the rise.

The ceiling is likely higher in Milwaukee, but for a coach that believes in their abilities, they still may see a speedier path to top-level success with Toronto.

Of course, with the Bucks likely to meet with other candidates for a second time too, Budenholzer is not their only option, and may even ultimately prove not to be Milwaukee’s preferred candidate.

Wojnarowski referring to the 48-year-old as “the focus” for Milwaukee and Toronto is far from insignificant, though, and may well set up a frantic week of competition between the two.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Will coaching carousel influence search for head coach?

For Budenholzer, not only is he in a great position of having two teams extremely interested in his services, but he’s also now got a whole lot of leverage to take into negotiations.

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