He had success as an assistant coach in San Antonio and won an NBA Championship in 2021 with the Milwaukee Bucks as its head coach, but things did not work for Mike Budenholzer in Phoenix.
Budenholzer guided the Atlanta Hawks to the playoffs in four of five seasons.
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He took the Bucks to the postseason in all five seasons, including an NBA title in 2021. The 55-year-old was hired to coach the Suns on May 11, 2024, and inherited a roster having Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Phoenix was projected to make a deep run in the playoffs and possibly make the NBA Finals with the talent it has, yet this season was a disappointment.
Budenholzer coached the Suns to a 36-46 record, missing the playoffs in the Western Conference.
The team did not vibe well with Budenholzer and he did not mesh well with the players.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Phoenix has fired Budenholzer after one season.
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
We will see what his next move becomes in the coaching well.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him him X via @CoachingMSmith.
