The San Antonio Spurs will allow Mike Budenholzer to negotiate a contract with the Atlanta Hawks during their nine-day break before the beginning of the NBA Finals if he is chosen as their next head coach.

Budenholzer has been an assistant coach with the Spurs for 18 years and is well regarded around the NBA.

Budenholzer and Danny Ferry worked together previously with the Spurs.

Budenholzer is widely considered the leading candidate for the Hawks.