Phoenix Suns: Insider Reveals the 1 Players' Favorite as Potential Candidate for the Vacant Head Coaching Job 10 Feb 27, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer on the sideline against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Phoenix Suns: Insider Reveals the 1 Players’ Favorite as Potential Candidate for the Vacant Head Coaching Job

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated May 30, 2025 8:45 AM ET

The Phoenix Suns are still searching for a new head coach after firing Mike Budenholzer last month, and it seems they do not need to look elsewhere for a possible replacement.

According to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, the Phoenix Suns are considering assistant head coach David Fizdale as one of the top finalists for the vacant head coaching job since he is well-liked by the players.

“Suns associate head coach and former NBA head coach David Fizdale is expected to be a part of a third round of interviews for the Suns head coach job. The former Grizzlies and Knicks head coach has the support of some key Suns players as well, sources said,” Spears wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Phoenix Suns' New GM Expressed His Loyalty to Mat Ishbia 1 Nov 15, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia in attendance against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Suns have cycled through three different head coaches in the last three years. Fizdale could be the team’s fourth head coach (after Monty Williams, Frank Vogel, and Mike Budenholzer) under owner Mat Ishbia.

Phoenix Suns News: Brian Windhorst makes “98%” Kevin Durant trade guarantee

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant faces an uncertain future this summer, and long-time ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst believes the one-time league MVP will play for a different team next season.

Phoenix Suns: Insider Reveals the 1 Players' Favorite as Potential Candidate for the Vacant Head Coaching Job 12 Oct 2, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; (From left) Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia, forward Kevin Durant (35), general manager James Jones, and CEO Josh Bartelstein pose for a portrait during media day at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

“Kevin Durant, I’m like 98% sure he’s not gonna be a Sun next year, how it works out though I’m about 1% sure. There’s gonna be a number of teams interested, but some of it is gonna depend on whether they see KD as a player they keep on a 1-year contract or extension,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s NBA Today recently.

Despite having a Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, Phoenix missed out on the play-in tournament with a subpar 36-46 record. Everything outside of trading Booker appears on the table.