The Phoenix Suns have made a coaching change, parting ways with head coach Frank Vogel following their first-round playoff sweep by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Advertisement
Former Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer is reportedly the Suns’ top choice to succeed Vogel, with discussions expected to progress swiftly, according to sources cited by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Budenholzer, who has been assembling a coaching staff for a potential head coaching return, is seen as a leading candidate.
“As we said at the press conference on May 1, team leadership including myself, Josh Bartelstein, and ownership would be looking across basketball operations to determine what changes needed to be made,” Suns general manager James Jones said in a statement. “After a thoughtful review of the season, we concluded that we needed a different head coach for our team. We appreciate Frank’s hard work and commitment.”
Vogel, who had a disappointing single season in Phoenix with a 49-33 record, was signed to a substantial five-year, $31 million deal in June 2023.
Advertisement
Despite the talent on the Suns’ roster, which includes stars like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, the team fell short of expectations under Vogel’s leadership. The decision to part ways comes after a string of playoff losses, including a franchise-record six consecutive defeats.
Vogel, a seasoned coach with previous stints at the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, and Indiana Pacers, has a career coaching record of 479-422. He notably led the Pacers to the Eastern Conference semifinals twice and had the NBA’s top-rated defense on multiple occasions.
As the Suns navigate the offseason, they face significant financial constraints, with the league’s highest payroll and a projected luxury tax penalty exceeding $116 million
Leave a Reply