Mike Budenholzer is free to join the team he wants to coach — if the Knicks’ feeling is mutual.
The Hawks and Budenholzer have mutually agreed to part ways after five seasons, ESPN reported Wednesday night, meaning the Knicks could hire him as their next head coach rather than offer compensation in a trade. He still had two years and over $14 million on his contract with the Hawks.
Budenholzer interviewed for the Knicks opening on Sunday, with the Hawks’ blessing at the time.
“I am grateful for the five years that I spent as coach of the Atlanta Hawks, and will always cherish the incredible contributions, commitment and accomplishments of the players that I was fortunate enough to work with here,” Budenholzer told ESPN a day after meeting with Hawks brass and reaching a consensus.