Phoenix Suns fire coach Budenholzer after one season
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The Suns fired Mike Budenholzer after a disappointing season that saw Phoenix miss the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
After a single disappointing season, the Phoenix Suns fired their third head coach in as many years, announcing they were parting ways with Mike Budenholzer on Monday.
State of play: In the Holbrook native's first season as head coach, the Suns missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
- Phoenix ended the season with a 36-46 record, despite the firepower of the Suns' big three: Bradley Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
Between the lines: Budenholzer reportedly had trouble connecting with his players, including with stars Booker and Durant.
What they're saying: "Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season. Our fans deserve better. Change is needed," the team said in a press statement.
What's next: One possibility for the Suns' next head coach is Michael Malone, whom the Denver Nuggets fired last week, just two years after he helped bring the city their first NBA championship.
- Suns owner Mat Ishbia followed similar templates with Budenholzer and his immediate predecessor Frank Vogel, who won championships several years earlier with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers respectively, but were fired after underwhelming seasons.
- Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins, who was surprisingly fired before the end of this season, is a potential Suns candidate, as well.
Catch up quick: Ishbia has a penchant for making big, attention-grabbing moves since taking over the team in 2023, but the Suns have largely been unsuccessful.
- He began his tenure with a blockbuster, midseason trade for Durant, looking to get the Suns back to the NBA Finals two years after losing the championship to Milwaukee.
- In his first offseason, Ishbia traded aging star point guard Chris Paul for Beal.
- Phoenix lost in the second round of the playoffs in Ishbia's first year, suffered a first-round sweep in 2024 and missed the postseason entirely this year.
What we're watching: Budenholzer's fate was one of several burning questions for the Suns' offseason.
- Phoenix seems likely to trade Durant.
- Meanwhile, Beal's fate remains uncertain given his no-trade clause.
- Ishbia must also decide whether to keep general manager James Jones, a former NBA executive of the year whose contract expires in June.
The bottom line: A major overhaul appears to be on the Suns' horizon, and their ability to rebuild through the NBA Draft is limited over the next five years.