Suns Fire Coach Budenholzer After One Tumultuous Season Under Ishbia
So here’s the big headline coming out of Phoenix this week — and no, it’s not another blockbuster trade rumor — the Suns have officially fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season at the helm. It’s a decision that’s making waves across the league, not just for the abruptness of it, but because of what it signals about the state of the franchise and the pressure mounting on owner Mat Ishbia.
Now, remember, this is the same Budenholzer who led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA title in 2021 — beating the Suns, ironically — and who was expected to bring that championship-caliber leadership to a Phoenix team already loaded with talent. But despite a promising 8-1 start, the Suns crashed and burned. They finished the season with a disappointing 36-46 record and didn’t even make the Play-In Tournament. Injuries played a role, yes — Durant went down early, and Beal, as usual, missed a significant chunk of games — but chemistry issues, inconsistent rotations, and a lack of identity on both ends of the floor were glaring problems all year.
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The team didn’t hold back in their announcement either. The official statement was short and pointed: “Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season. Our fans deserve better. Change is needed.” That's not just a firing — that’s a statement of frustration from ownership, from the front office, and, let’s be honest, probably from the fanbase too.
This marks the fourth coaching change in as many years for the Suns. That’s instability you don’t want when you’ve got future Hall of Famers like Kevin Durant and elite talents like Devin Booker on your roster. Speaking of KD, things might be shifting even more dramatically soon — reports are surfacing that the Suns will listen to trade offers for Durant this offseason, and discussions about Bradley Beal’s future are also in play. What once looked like a superteam is quickly unraveling into a big question mark.
Let’s not forget Mat Ishbia, the Michigan State alum who bought the Suns just over a year ago for $4 billion. He came in with a bold, aggressive style — making splashy moves like acquiring Durant and Beal — but so far, none of it has translated into postseason success. And with general manager James Jones’ contract also hanging in the balance, this offseason could bring a full-blown overhaul.
At the end of the day, this firing isn’t just about Budenholzer. It’s a reflection of deeper issues — roster construction, coaching instability, injury woes, and perhaps, ownership’s impatience. If you’re a Suns fan, buckle up. It’s going to be a wild offseason in the desert.
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