The Phoenix Suns are reportedly close to hiring their new head coach.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Friday morning that Mike Budenholzer is expected to work out a deal with the franchise. The contract could be approaching the eight-figure mark per year.
Phoenix officially fired first-year head coach Frank Vogel after his 49-33 season with the team. The Suns were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. Budenholzer will now become their third head coach in three seasons.
Mike Budenholzer Gets Another Shot
Budenholzer comes to the Suns after a year off in the NBA coaching world. The Milwaukee Bucks chose to let the long-time leader go after the 2022-23 season despite his 271-120 record. He also helped lead the organization to an NBA Championship during the 2020-21 campaign.
While it felt like change may be needed in Milwaukee, the decision to let Budenholzer go after a 58-win season certainly came with some skepticism. This only became more true in hindsight, as the Bucks fired new head coach Adrian Griffin midway through the season and signed Doc Rivers. The team then went on to lose in the first round to the Indiana Pacers after Giannis Antetokunmpo missed the entire series.
As for the Suns, they’re looking to build a better identity around their three max players. The team vastly underachieved for a roster that has Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal in the starting lineup. Budenholzer did struggle at times to diversify the Bucks’ defense, so it’s hard to say whether or not he’ll be the perfect choice for this team with lofty expectations. However, he has been a stabilizing presence in the past with plenty of playoff experience.