After failing to reach the NBA playoffs or the play-in tournament despite having the highest payroll in the league, the Phoenix Suns have announced the dismissal of head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season.
In a statement, the team declared, `Our goal remains to compete at the highest level, and we fell short of expectations this season. Our fans deserve better, and change is necessary.`
For the third consecutive offseason, Suns owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and general manager James Jones will be seeking a new head coach. Phoenix concluded the season with a 36-46 record.
Sources indicate that Budenholzer struggled to connect with the locker room, with team officials concluding that the roster did not respond effectively to the coach, who previously won the 2021 NBA championship. It`s reported that Budenholzer`s difficulties in working with players centered around Devin Booker, a key player for the franchise, and extended throughout the team.
The Suns are now expected to conduct an extensive search for a new head coach, according to sources.
Budenholzer had signed a five-year, $50 million contract last offseason, brought in for his proven track record and coaching strategies on both offense and defense.
The Suns became only the third team in NBA history to start a season 8-1 or better and still miss the playoffs, joining the 1970-71 Detroit Pistons and 2001-02 Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN Research. In March and April, the Suns experienced an eight-game losing streak, all by double digits, marking the most consecutive losses by 10 or more points in the franchise`s history.
After ranking as the 13th best defensive team in the previous season under Frank Vogel, with 49 wins and a sixth seed, the Suns became the third-worst team in defensive efficiency this season. This decline was even more pronounced after the All-Star break, ranking as the second worst, according to ESPN Research.
When Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal played together last season, the Suns had a 26-15 record with a plus-6.6 net efficiency. This season, with the same trio, their record was 19-18 with a minus-4.1 net efficiency, per ESPN Research.
Owner Ishbia has demonstrated a strong commitment to investing in players, coaches, and organizational resources. However, this particular team configuration did not succeed, and the franchise is now planning to rebuild around Booker.
Since the All-Star break, the Suns had a 10-18 record. Against teams with a .500 record or better this season, they were 12-32, a significant drop from their 28-25 record against such teams in the 2023-24 season.
This firing is expected to be the first of several changes for the Suns this summer. Phoenix is anticipated to engage in trade discussions involving Durant and consider options for Beal`s future with the team, according to sources. Multiple teams are expected to show strong interest in Durant, who is coming off another excellent season, and the franchise is likely to collaborate with Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman to find a suitable destination for the future Hall of Famer.
Beal has two years and $111 million remaining on his contract.
Durant was close to being traded to the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline in February, but he indicated he did not want to return to his former team. He will be in the final year of his contract next season.
This season, the Suns were 33-29 when Durant played and 3-17 when he was absent.
