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Hawks grant head coach permission to speak with Phoenix Suns

Budenholzer has been the head coach of the Hawks for five seasons.
Credit: Gregory Shamus
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on from the bench while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 111-104. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks have granted permission to head coach Mike Budenholzer to speak with the Phoenix Suns regarding their open head coach position, a league source confirmed to 11Alive.

Budenholzer, who has been the head coach of the Hawks for five seasons, will meet with the Suns next week, according to ESPN who first reported the news.

Budenholzer must get approval from the Hawks to speak with other teams because he is still under contract. He has two years, $14 million left on his contract.

The NBA regular season concluded on Wednesday, and the Hawks finished tied for the third-worst record in the league. But it was largely believed to be a rebuild year, and the Hawks are guaranteed a top 7 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Before his time in Atlanta, Budenholzer was an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich. He is 410-213 all-time in Atlanta.

The Suns are searching for a new coach after they fired Earl Watson early in the regular season. The Suns are reportedly considering interim head coach Jay Triano.

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