Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Mike Budenholzer doesn't have any excuses as Suns continue to struggle

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Feb 28, 2025 2:53 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns hired head coach Mike Budenholzer to unlock the team's offensive firepower. Under the defensive nous of Frank Vogel, the Kevin Durant-led roster stumbled in the 2024 postseason, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round.

Like Vogel, Budenholzer is an NBA champion. Yet his area of expertise was supposed to come on the offensive end. The hope was that he could unify the trio of Devin Booker, Durant and Bradley Beal. Adding Tyus Jones in the summer was supposed to be the final piece to the Suns' puzzle.

Yet on Thursday, the Suns dropped their 32nd game of the season as they lost to the New Orleans Pelicans, 124-116. Phoenix currently sits 11th in the Western Conference and is in danger of missing out on the postseason.

“We haven't played well enough,” Budenholzer said during his postgame news conference. “We've had stretches where we haven't executed, whether it be defensively or offensively, and we haven't been good enough to get us through. I wish there was one thing, but it's (as) you go and it's always small things. Too many to list.”

On paper, the Suns should be a top-five team in the West. Adding Nick Richards ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline was another move expected to elevate the team's chances of success.

Budenholzer has failed to get his team to gel. His offensive and defensive systems are failing. And he doesn't appear to have any fresh ideas to get the team back on track.

When you have a roster with three elite, multi-faceted talents, all of whom can create for themselves and others, there are very limited excuses available.

If the Suns miss out on the playoffs, Budenholzer will likely be released from his duties. There's no excuse for a team as talented as Phoenix to crash out this badly. And while parting with another coach may not look good on the front office, it's certainly a necessary move.

Phoenix is expected to trade Durant during the summer. Moving on from Budenholzer and some other members of the rotation would be a smart move from owner Mat Ishbia. The Suns need a fresh start, and that likely means a complete tear-down.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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