The Phoenix Suns will be searching for a new coach again in the offseason after firing coach Mike Budenholzer.
The team announced Monday it had relieved Budenholzer of his duties and released the following statement: “Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season. Our fans deserve better. Change is needed.”
Phoenix will now begin searching for a coach for the fourth time in the last four seasons. The Suns lost nine of their last 10 games, failing to qualify for the SoFi Play-In Tournament.
The 55-year-old Budenholzer was hired in May, replacing Frank Vogel, who also had a one-year tenure that ended in disappointment. Coach Bud, an Arizona native, won an NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, beating the Suns in six games in the Finals, and the hope was he could finally bring a championship to the desert.
However, the Suns struggled with injuries and inconsistent play all season, finishing 36-46 and missing the postseason entirely.
Budenholzer couldn’t seem to settle on a regular playing rotation with rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro playing big minutes one night before being benched the next. Veteran center Jusuf Nurkic had an awful start to the season — and complained about a lack of communication with Budenholzer — before being traded to the Charlotte Hornets.
Budenholzer’s departure likely signifies major upcoming roster upheaval for a team that’s underachieved for three straight seasons. Suns owner Mat Ishbia has deep pockets and a desire to win, but almost every move he’s made since taking over the team in February 2023 has backfired.