The Phoenix Suns have fired head coach Mike Budenholzer of Holbrook, Arizona according to George Ramsay of CNN on Tuesday. The firing comes as zero surprise whatsoever. The Suns had the highest payroll in the entire league this season at $220.7 million ($16 more million than the second place Minnesota Timberwolves) but inexplicably not only missed the playoffs, but the play-in tournament as well.
Budenholzer only spent one season coaching the Suns after five seasons coaching the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks. With the Hawks, Budenholzer had a record of 213-197 including a 60 win season in 2014-15. Then with the Bucks, Budenholzer had a strong record of 271-120, with a winning percentage of .693. He also led the Bucks to a championship in 2021.
Phoenix’s record this past season was an abysmal 36 wins and 46 losses. The bottom line is that when you have stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal on your team, more is expected. The Suns simply could not gel and work as an effective unit with Budenholzer at the helm.
There are also some serious questions in Phoenix at this time about Durant and his lack of leadership skills. He has now been a part of two unsuccessful programs in Brooklyn and Phoenix, since his great success as a member of the Golden State Warriors.
It will also be interesting to see who the Suns replace Budenholzer with. Do not be surprised if they choose a coach that lacks head coaching experience and go in a different direction when it comes to strategical thought. The Suns are in disarray and a new form of thinking is required to make this team successful.
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