The Phoenix Suns have fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season because they missed the NBA playoffs and play-in tournament despite having the highest payroll in the league. The team announced the firing on Monday.
In a statement, the Suns said their goal is to compete at the highest level, and they failed to meet expectations this season. They stated that their fans deserve better and that change is necessary.
This is the third consecutive offseason that Suns owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and general manager James Jones are hiring a new coach. Phoenix`s record for the season was 36 wins and 46 losses.
Sources indicate that Budenholzer struggled to connect with the players. Team officials felt that the team didn`t respond well to Budenholzer, who had previously won an NBA championship in 2021. His difficulty in working with players reportedly centered around Devin Booker, a key player for the team, and extended to other players on the roster.
The Suns will now begin a wide search for a new head coach, according to sources.
Budenholzer was hired last offseason on a five-year, $50 million contract because of his winning history and coaching strategies for both offense and defense.
The Suns became only the third team in NBA history to start a season with 8 wins and 1 loss or better and then miss the playoffs. The other teams were the 1970-71 Detroit Pistons and the 2001-02 Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN Research. In March and April, the Suns had an eight-game losing streak, all by double digits, which is the longest such streak in team history.
After being the 13th best defensive team in the league last season under coach Frank Vogel, when they won 49 games and were the sixth seed, the Suns became the third-worst defensive team this season. Since the All-Star break, they were the second-worst, according to ESPN Research.
Last season, when Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal played together, the Suns had a record of 26-15 and a net efficiency of +6.6. This season, with the same players, their record was 19-18 and their net efficiency was -4.1, according to ESPN Research.
Owner Mat Ishbia has been aggressive in spending on players, coaches, and resources for the team in his two years of ownership. However, this team configuration didn`t work out, and the franchise is expected to rebuild around Devin Booker.
Since the All-Star break, the Suns had a 10-18 record. Their record against teams with a .500 record or better this season was 12-32, compared to 28-25 in the 2023-24 season.
This firing is the first step in a summer of changes for the Suns. Phoenix is expected to consider trading Durant and discuss the future of Beal, according to sources. Several teams are expected to be interested in Durant, who had another excellent season. The Suns are expected to work with Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman to find a suitable team for Durant.
Beal has two years and $111 million remaining on his contract.
At the trade deadline in February, Durant was close to being traded to the Golden State Warriors, but he made it clear he didn`t want to return to his former team. He will be in the final year of his contract next season.
The Suns` record was 33-29 when Durant played and 3-17 when he was out this season.
