Phoenix Suns fire Mike Budenholzer after playoff failure

Despite highest payroll in NBA, Suns miss playoffs and part ways with head coach after one season.

Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer walks off the court after a game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on March 7, 2025. Photo by Tyler McFarland/Clarkson Creative

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The Phoenix Suns fire Mike Budenholzer after a disappointing 2024-2025 NBA season, in which the franchise failed to make the playoffs despite fielding one of the most expensive and talent-packed rosters in the league. The announcement came in a brief official statement issued on Monday, signaling the end of a short and turbulent chapter in the Suns' quest for a championship.

“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.

The decision comes after Phoenix finished with a 36-46 record, placing them 11th in the Western Conference and outside even the play-in tournament. The Suns’ struggles on the court were magnified by the scale of their investment — with a reported payroll of around $220 million, they had the highest salary bill in the entire NBA.

One of the NBA’s costliest failures

The Suns had entered the season with soaring expectations. With a star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, and the hiring of championship-winning coach Mike Budenholzer on a five-year, $50 million deal, Phoenix was widely viewed as a serious title contender.

However, the reality proved far different. Injuries, inconsistency, and an apparent lack of cohesion torpedoed the team’s campaign. While other franchises with similar spending, like the Minnesota Timberwolves — who had the second-highest payroll — thrived, the Suns languished at the bottom of the playoff race.

Mike Budenholzer, hired to bring stability and championship pedigree to the Valley, never seemed to gain control of the locker room or implement a system that worked for his star-heavy lineup.

Fractures within the team

Reports began surfacing midway through the season suggesting that all was not well behind the scenes. On Monday, The Athletic revealed that Budenholzer had developed a “contentious” relationship with Devin Booker, one of the team’s franchise players. According to insiders, the dynamic between the coach and Booker had become a major issue internally, contributing to the team's lack of chemistry on the floor.

Such internal friction might explain Phoenix’s underwhelming performance. Despite their talent, the Suns frequently looked disconnected during games, often struggling on both ends of the floor. They lacked defensive discipline and offensive rhythm, two areas where Budenholzer had excelled in his previous stint with the Milwaukee Bucks.

A revolving door of head coaches

The decision to part ways with Budenholzer marks the third time in three years the Suns have fired their head coach. In 2023, Monty Williams was dismissed after leading the team to consistent playoff appearances. He was replaced by Frank Vogel, who lasted only one season before being shown the door after the 2023-2024 campaign.

Now, Budenholzer joins that list — another high-profile coach unable to unlock the team’s potential.

The Suns' coaching carousel raises questions about the franchise’s leadership and long-term strategy. Team owner Mat Ishbia has not been shy about making bold moves, from blockbuster trades to coaching overhauls. But those gambles have yet to pay off.

Where do the Suns go from here?

With the Phoenix Suns firing Mike Budenholzer, the franchise is once again at a crossroads. Their core — Durant, Booker, and Beal — remains intact, though age, injury concerns, and cap constraints loom large.

Durant will be 37 by the start of next season, and Beal’s contract still carries hefty salary implications. The Suns are low on draft assets and lack financial flexibility, leaving few easy avenues for improvement.

Most crucially, they now need to find another head coach who can both manage superstar egos and implement a system that works. The challenge will be identifying someone who can foster trust and build a culture that lasts longer than a single season.

Names like Kenny Atkinson, Terry Stotts, or even a potential return of Monty Williams might emerge, but whoever takes the helm will inherit immense pressure to deliver results fast.

Budenholzer’s coaching legacy takes a hit

Mike Budenholzer's reputation as one of the league’s top coaches took a hit with his brief and unsuccessful stint in Phoenix. Best known for guiding the Bucks to the 2021 NBA Championship and winning Coach of the Year honors twice, Budenholzer was expected to bring discipline and structure to a franchise in desperate need of both.

Instead, he exits after just one season, with a record that reflects more dysfunction than development.

Budenholzer may still land another NBA job — his past successes will continue to carry weight — but his inability to connect with Phoenix’s roster and deliver even a playoff berth is a blemish that will follow him.

The road ahead for Phoenix

As the dust settles from the Suns firing Mike Budenholzer, the organization must confront hard truths. Talent alone is not enough. Leadership, cohesion, and continuity matter just as much — perhaps even more — in today’s NBA landscape.

Phoenix has the core pieces to compete, but it must now rebuild its coaching philosophy and re-evaluate how it supports its stars. Whether that means taking a chance on a young, up-and-coming coach or convincing a proven name to step into the pressure cooker, the decision could define the franchise’s future.

For now, fans are left with frustration and questions. A season that began with championship dreams ends in disappointment — and another coaching change.

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