The Phoenix Suns have dismissed head coach Mike Budenholzer after only one season. This decision comes after the team failed to reach the NBA playoffs or the play-in tournament, despite having the highest payroll in the league.
The team announced the firing on Monday, stating, `Competing at the highest level is our ongoing objective, and we did not live up to expectations this season. Our fans deserve better, and change is necessary.`
This marks the third consecutive offseason where Suns owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and general manager James Jones will be hiring a new head coach. The Suns concluded the season with a 36-46 record.
Sources indicate that Budenholzer struggled to connect with the team`s locker room. Team officials reportedly concluded that the players did not respond well to Budenholzer, who previously won an NBA championship in 2021. His difficulties in building rapport particularly involved Devin Booker, a key player for the franchise, and extended throughout the roster, according to sources.
The Suns are now set to begin an extensive search for a new head coach, sources have confirmed.
Budenholzer was hired last offseason on a five-year, $50 million contract, brought in for his proven track record of winning and his coaching strategies on both offense and defense.
The Suns made unwanted history by becoming only the third team in NBA history to start the season with an 8-1 or better record and still miss the playoffs. The other teams were the 1970-71 Detroit Pistons and the 2001-02 Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN Research.
After a season where they won 49 games and had the 13th best defense under Frank Vogel in 2023-24, the Suns` defensive performance plummeted this season. They ranked as the third-worst team in defensive efficiency in the NBA, and the second-worst since the All-Star break, according to ESPN Research.
When Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal played together last season, the Suns had a 26-15 record with a strong net efficiency of plus-6.6. However, this season, with the same trio, their record was only 19-18 with a negative net efficiency of minus-4.1, per ESPN Research.
Owner Mat Ishbia has demonstrated a clear commitment to investing in players, coaches, and resources for the organization since taking over two years ago. Despite these investments, this current team composition did not succeed, and the franchise is now expected to rebuild around Devin Booker.
Since the All-Star break, the Suns had a 10-18 record and struggled against strong teams, going 12-32 against teams with a .500 record or better this season, compared to a 28-25 record against such teams in the previous season.
This coaching change is likely the first of several changes anticipated for the Suns this summer. Phoenix is expected to explore trade options for Kevin Durant and discuss the future of Bradley Beal, according to sources. Several teams are expected to show strong interest in acquiring Durant, and the Suns are expected to collaborate with Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman to find a suitable new team for the Hall of Fame player.
Beal has two years and $111 million remaining on his current contract.
Earlier in the season, Durant almost got traded to the Golden State Warriors before the trade deadline in February, but he indicated he did not want to return to his former team. He is entering the final year of his contract next season.
The Suns` record with Durant playing was 33-29, and significantly worse at 3-17 when he was absent this season.
