Directionless Suns set to pay four coaches at same time

Mat Ishbia can't get out of his way, and the Suns' fan base is paying a hefty price for his impatience and ambition. 

By dismissing Mike Budenholzer on Monday, Ishbia essentially committed to paying four coaches simultaneously. Entering the 2025-26 season, the Suns will continue to pay Monty Williams, Frank Vogel and Budenholzer — the trio of coaches they fired over the last two years —besides the fourth coach who takes up the unenviable job.

When Ishbia purchased the team in December 2022, the Suns were fresh off a 64-win season and just 18 months removed from a trip to the 2021 NBA Finals. They had built a winning culture under the leadership of Williams and Chris Paul and had the perfect combination of youth and experience to remain a perennial title contender. 

Within his first six months as owner, Ishbia sacrificed all his youth for an aging Kevin Durant, fired Williams and traded Paul and other assets for an injury-prone Bradley Beal. Since those moves, the Suns have gone a combined 85-79 in the regular season and 0-4 in the playoffs. 

Highest payroll in NBA history: 11th seed

The Suns' 2024-25 campaign may go down as the biggest disaster in sports history. The franchise spent over $400M on the roster (including luxury tax), the highest payroll in NBA history, just to finish the 11th seed. On the surface, Ishbia can't be blamed for dismissing Budenholzer, but he doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt due to his restless wheeling and dealing over the last 24 months. 

Ishbia's arrogance may also cost him goodwill among players and coaches across the league. After the 2023-24 season, he had the gall to suggest that 26 other GMs around the league would gladly trade their entire rosters to be in the Suns' position.

A year later, Ishbia wouldn't dare make those comments again. 

The Suns' disastrous 24-month run must serve as a referendum for owners across the league that 1) you can't buy a championship, 2) you can't underestimate the value of culture, 3) you must exercise patience and 4) you must stop meddling with front-office moves.  

As Ishbia prepares to engage in more hiring, firing and trading, the Suns' fan base has a simple question: 'Can Ishbia fire himself?'