PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns have announced that Mike Budenholzer will be fired as Suns head coach effective immediately.
BREAKING: The Phoenix Suns have fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after finishing in 11th place with a 36-46 record in his one season, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ocySLmWDQI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 14, 2025
In what was a disaster of a season for the Suns, the front office has decided that change was inevitable. The first domino to fall was relieving head coach Mike Budenholzer of his duties. This will be the third season in which the Suns have let go of their head coach.
Apr 1, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer reacts in the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The Suns have 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.”
Budenholzer, the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks when they took down the Suns in the 2023 finals, is a two-time Coach of the Year. He joined the Suns on a whopping five-year contract last offseason, as both parties thought the situation would be a winning one. Budenholzer’s gameplan over this season limited how many opportunities his best players may get by minute restrictions, and didn’t include any gameplans to improve on defense or shot quality. Coach Budenholzer’s teams in the past had the defensive prowess and mindset to take high-quality shots, unfortunately not this season.
Budenholzer was asked recently if Suns owner Mat Isbhia assured him that he would be back next season:
“It’s raw. We just lost. It’s been a tough season. There’s been no conversations.”
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer when asked if Mat Ishbia has assured him he’ll be back next season. #Suns pic.twitter.com/88SNsfpZNI
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 10, 2025
Being unable to completely utilize the star power of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal is one thing, but missing the mark when this team had Championship aspirations by not even making the play-in tournament is another. What does the future hold now for the Phoenix Suns after Budenholzer’s firing? The top story of this offseason will most likely be centered around Kevin Durant entering his final season on his contract, and if a trade might be in the works, as the next domino might fall sooner rather than later.
Mar 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) sits on the scorers table as head coach Mike Budenholzer looks on during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Arizona Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
