"Mike Budenholzer let go as coach of the Suns after just one year"
The Phoenix Suns terminated head coach Mike Budenholzer on Monday, less than 24 hours after the team with the NBA's highest salary finished with a 36-46 record.
"Maintaining a high level of competition remains our objective, and we did not meet expectations this season. Our loyal supporters deserve better. Change is necessary," the organization stated on Monday.
The Suns concluded the season in 11th place in the Western Conference, three games behind a spot in the play-in tournament during Budenholzer's sole season as head coach. He was brought on board to replace Frank Vogel, who was also let go after just one season last year.
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Phoenix had made the playoffs for the past four seasons, and owner Mat Ishbia went all-in on investing in his team, paying a total of $150 million this season for the trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal.
He believed Budenholzer was the ideal coach to lead the team, a native of Arizona who won the 2021 NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks, and awarded him a five-year, $50 million contract. However, according to reports, the coach and players never clicked.
Phoenix will now be on the hunt for its fourth head coach in four seasons and its eighth since 2015-16, which was star guard Booker's first year in the NBA.
It's also probable that Phoenix will consider trade offers for Durant and must determine what to do with Beal, who still has two years and $110 million remaining on his no-trade contract. Durant is owed $54.7 million for the 2025-26 season, the final year of his current deal.
Durant, Beal, and Booker only played in 37 games together due to injuries, resulting in a record of 19-18.
Budenholzer has a career record of 520-363 in 11 seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Bucks, and Suns.
