Former Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer is headlining the opening finalists for the Brooklyn Nets

Mike Budenholzer, who coached the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2020-21 NBA championship, is reportedly among three finalists for the Brooklyn Nets' inaugural head coaching event.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Sacramento Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernandez and Phoenix Suns associate head coach Kevin Young are the other two finalists.

Budenholzer was released by the Bucks after last season after losing a first-round playoff series to the Miami Heat as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference (with a record of 58–24). Milwaukee reached the playoffs in all five seasons, compiling a 391–271 regular season record and the 2021 NBA title.

Before joining the Bucks, Budenholzer coached the Atlanta Hawks for five seasons, helping the team to four playoff appearances and a 60-win season in 2014-15.

The Nets' head coaching position became vacant when the team fired Jacque Vaughn on February 19. Brooklyn had a 21-33 record at the time, making them the No. 11 seed in the East. Under interim coach Kevin Ollie, the Nets have not improved in the standings and are between 11 and 16.

Ollie has reportedly interviewed with team owner Joe Tsai for the permanent head coach position, along with several candidates including New Orleans Pelicans assistant (and former Charlotte Hornets head coach) James Borrego and Heat assistant Chris Quinn. However, it appears the team has narrowed its search to Budenholzer, Fernandez and Young.

Brooklyn has three building blocks in guard Cam Thomas and forwards Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson. However, the Nets traded their 2024 first-round draft pick to the Houston Rockets for James Harden as part of the 2021 deal and could lose center Nic Claxton in free agency.

With a payroll of around $134 million, general manager Sean Marks also needs to create salary cap space (probably $141 million) for next season.