Phoenix Suns fire head coach Mike Budenholzer after embarrassing season

In what was a disaster of a season for the Suns, the front office has decided that change was inevitable. The first domino to fall was relieving head coach Mike Budenholzer of his duties. This will be the third season in which the Suns have let go of their head coach.

The Suns have released the following statement:

“Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season. Our fans deserve better. Change is needed.”

Budenholzer, the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks when they took down the Suns in the 2023 finals, is a two-time Coach of the Year. He joined the Suns on a whopping five-year contract last offseason, as both parties thought the situation would be a winning one. Budenholzer’s gameplan over this season limited how many opportunities his best players may get by minute restrictions, and didn’t include any gameplans to improve on defense or shot quality. Coach Budenholzer’s teams in the past had the defensive prowess and mindset to take high-quality shots, unfortunately not this season.

Budenholzer was asked recently if Suns owner Mat Isbhia assured him that he would be back next season:

Being unable to completely utilize the star power of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal is one thing, but missing the mark when this team had Championship aspirations by not even making the play-in tournament is another. What does the future hold now for the Phoenix Suns after Budenholzer’s firing? The top story of this offseason will most likely be centered around Kevin Durant entering his final season on his contract, and if a trade might be in the works, as the next domino might fall sooner rather than later.