The Phoenix Suns on Monday announced the sacking of head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season, Afrosport reports.
Budenholzer, who led the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 NBA Championship, was appointed as Phoenix’s coach last year on a five-year, $50 million deal.
However, having missed the NBA playoffs and play-in tournament this season, the Suns have decided to relieve Budenholzer of his duties after he led the team to a 36-46 record despite boasting the largest payroll in league history.
“Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season. Our fans deserve better. Change is needed,” the team said in a statement.
The Suns, for the third consecutive season, will be in search of a new coach, having ended the 2024-25 regular season in 11th place in the Western Conference.
Phoenix won 49 games last season and made the playoffs as the sixth seed with Frank Vogel, but this season posed a different narrative.
According to ESPN, they became the third team in NBA history to start 8-1 or better and miss the playoffs, joining the 1970-71 Detroit Pistons and 2001-02 Milwaukee Bucks.
The Suns had a 10-18 record since the All-Star break, including losing nine of their 10 final games.
The team is set for numerous changes this offseason with reports of a possible trade for All-star forward Kevin Durant, who was close to securing a move before the Fenruary deadline.
