The Phoenix Suns have fired head coach Mike
Budenholzer after only one season at the helm, the team confirmed on Sunday,
April 14—just a day after the 2024–25 NBA regular season concluded.
The move, first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania,
marks a stunningly abrupt end to what was once viewed as a promising new era in
Phoenix. In an official statement, the Suns acknowledged falling short of
expectations:
“Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and
we failed to meet expectations this season. Our fans deserve better. Change is
needed.”
The decision comes after a disappointing 36–46
campaign in which the Suns missed the playoffs for the first time in five
years. Despite boasting a star-studded roster featuring Kevin Durant, Devin
Booker, and Bradley Beal, the team faltered down the stretch—losing nine of its
final 10 games while fighting for a spot in the Western Conference play-in
tournament.
This marks the second consecutive year Phoenix has
fired a head coach after just one season. Budenholzer replaced Frank Vogel, who
was let go last offseason. The franchise has now had four head coaches in four
years—raising questions about its long-term vision and stability.
Budenholzer, a respected veteran and two-time NBA
Coach of the Year, joined the Suns in May 2024 on a lucrative five-year, $50
million contract, ranking among the league’s highest-paid coaches. It was a
homecoming of sorts, as Budenholzer grew up in Arizona and has family in the
region. Yet, his time with the Suns never truly clicked.
Before joining Phoenix, Budenholzer spent five
successful seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, winning an NBA championship in
2021 and guiding the team to the league’s best regular-season record multiple
times. However, he was dismissed after a shocking first-round exit in the 2023
playoffs.
Across an 11-year head coaching career with Atlanta,
Milwaukee, and Phoenix, Budenholzer has compiled an impressive 520–363 record,
ranking 37th all-time in coaching wins. He also earned four NBA titles as an
assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich, adding to a
résumé few can match.
Now, the Suns face yet another coaching search—hoping
to find the right leader to guide their high-profile core back to playoff
relevance and, ultimately, championship contention.
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