Suns Fire Coach Budenholzer After One Season

The team announced the move Monday, and it does not come as a surprise to many. After starting the season 8-1, the Suns went 28-45 over their last 73 games and missed the postseason entirely for the first time since 2020. A 1-9 stretch to end the season ended any playoff hopes and sealed Budenholzer’s fate.

Budenholzer took over for Frank Vogel — who was also fired after one season in Phoenix. The former Bucks head coach was expected to revitalize the Suns’ offense and build around the team’s three offensive stars — Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Budenholzer tinkered with lineup configurations all season, but could not overcome the roster shortcomings and the absences of his star players. Durant (20), Booker (7) and Beal (29) combined to miss 56 games.

The offense actually slightly regressed — from 9th in offensive rating last year to 10th — while the defense cratered — 13th under Vogel, 28th under Budenholzer. Phoenix went 12-32 against teams above .500 and was 3-17 when Durant sat out.

The Suns will now be looking for their fourth coach in as many seasons. It’s a franchise that has become accustomed to head coaching turnover. They haven’t had a coach stay for more than four seasons since the mid-80s. Before Vogel, the Suns canned Monty Williams just one season after he led them to a 64-win campaign. Vogel was dismissed after compiling a 49-33 record.

With the announcement, the team released a statement saying, “Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season. Our fans deserve better. Change is needed.”

Owner Mat Ishbia has shown a willingness to shake things up. Coming off that 64-win season — the best regular season in franchise history — the Suns traded two home-grown, fan favorites (Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson) for Durant. They followed that up the next offseason by dealing former No. 1 pick DeAndre Ayton and future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul and brought in Beal.

Now, Durant may ask out to latch on with a contender and the Suns are handicapped due to Beal’s massive contract which includes a no-trade clause. Ishbia and general manager James Jones will have their hands full this offseason.