The Phoenix Suns have fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after missing the NBA playoffs and play-in tournament despite having the largest payroll in league history. Budenholzer, hired on a five-year, $50 million contract for his winning pedigree and coaching schemes, struggled to connect with the team, particularly with star player Devin Booker, leading to his dismissal. The Suns, under the ownership of Mat Ishbia, are now embarking on a coaching search after finishing with a 36-46 record, marking their third consecutive offseason with coaching changes.
Despite a promising start to the season, where the Suns became the third team in NBA history to start 8-1 or better and miss the playoffs, they faltered down the stretch. The team's defensive efficiency plummeted, ranking as the third-worst in the league this season. With a 10-18 record since the All-Star break and a poor performance against teams with a .500 record or above, the Suns are gearing up for significant changes in the offseason, including potential trade discussions involving Kevin Durant and decisions on Bradley Beal's future with the team. Durant, who had a stellar season, is expected to draw interest from multiple teams, while Beal has two years and $111 million remaining on his contract.