Forward of the 2023-24 season, the Suns had been looking for a brand new head coach. Monty Williams took the pinnacle teaching job with Detroit, leaving the emptiness in Phoenix. The Suns employed former Lakers head coach Frank Vogel. He was tasked with managing the star energy the Suns had on their roster.
Nevertheless, Phoenix by no means performed to their full potential throughout the common season. That was attributable to accidents to key gamers and a number of other different components. Regardless, the Suns completed with a 49-33 report and had been the sixth seed within the Western Convention. They had been matched up towards Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves within the first spherical. Phoenix promptly was swept by Minnesota. With uncertainty after their disastrous finish to the season, the Suns parted methods with former head coach Frank Vogel after one yr. NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Phoenix is predicted to rent former Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer.
Will Mike Budenholzer last more than one season as head coach of the Phoenix Suns?
The Phoenix Suns plan to rent Bucks champion Mike Budenholzer as their head coach on deal anticipated to strategy eight figures per yr, league sources inform @TheAthletic @Stadium. The Holbrook, Ariz., native will likely be tasked with optimizing Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal. pic.twitter.com/eWFMedRNA2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) Might 10, 2024
In response to Shams Charania, gamers on the Suns’ roster basically misplaced belief in former head coach Frank Vogel. He famous that the match was by no means proper and Vogel was on the new seat after being swept within the playoffs. It didn’t take the Suns lengthy to search out their substitute. former Bucks championship head coach Mike Budenholzer. The 54-year-old has been a coach at some degree within the NBA since 1996-97. That was till Milwaukee fired him on the finish of the 2022-23 season.
Budenholzer didn’t coach in 2023-24, however he’ll be again within the league subsequent season. This will likely be his third head teaching job within the NBA. He was the pinnacle coach for 5 seasons in Atlanta and 5 seasons in Milwaukee. His profession head teaching report is 484-317. In the course of the 2021 postseason, Budenholzer and the Bucks gained the NBA Finals. Now, Budenholzer is tasked with placing Phoenix in a state of affairs the place they’ll compete within the Western Convention playoffs.
“[The Suns] introduced that they’ve fired Frank Vogel as head coach… The gamers basically misplaced belief in Frank Vogel”
“The plan is for the Suns to rent 2021 Bucks championship head coach, Mike Budenholzer”@ShamsCharania with the newest on the Phoenix Suns ☀️ pic.twitter.com/vJfFgCHKxu
— Run It Again (@RunItBackFDTV) Might 10, 2024
Whereas the Western Convention playoffs are nonetheless occurring, there appears to be a shift of energy. Groups that used to dominate the playoffs just like the Warriors and Lakers are at residence watching. Minnesota and Oklahoma Metropolis have taken over within the West. Can older groups like Phoenix regain management of the Western Convention subsequent season? We’ll see what new head coach Mike Budenholzer has in retailer to make the Suns a playoff contender as soon as once more.