The Phoenix Suns fired head coach Frank Vogel on Thursday less than a week after the team lost their first-round Western Conference series to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer is the Suns' No. 1 candidate to replace Vogel, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Budenholzer is currently assembling a coaching staff to return to the head coaching job.
“As we said in a press conference on May 1, team leadership including myself, Josh Bartelstein, and ownership will look at all basketball operations to determine what changes need to be made,” Suns general manager James Jones said in a statement.
“After thinking carefully about the season, we have concluded that we need a different coach in our team. We appreciate Frank's hard work and dedication.”
In addition, the Suns did not perform well in Vogel's only season at the helm, finishing 49-33 and in sixth place in the Western Conference standings. He signed a five-year, $31 million contract with the franchise through June 2023.
Vogel replaced Monty Williams, who was fired after the team's Western Conference semifinal loss to the Denver Nuggets. Factoring in the Suns' Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves on April 28, the Suns have lost six consecutive playoff games – the longest losing streak in franchise history.
The Phoenix Suns fired coach Frank Vogel, who is 480-422 in the regular season and 49-33 in the playoffs in his coaching career.
Frank Vogel had the NBA's top defensive score three times in his career — twice with the Indiana Pacers and the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
The Suns were Vogel's fourth team as head coach. He previously coached the Pacers (2010-16), Orlando Magic (2016-18), and Lakers (2019-22). His career coaching record is 480-422 in the regular season and 49-43 in the playoffs.
More importantly, the Suns have had success under Vogel with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. The latter two were acquired after owner Matt Ishbia was introduced as the main owner in February 2023.
The Sun officially fired Frank Vogel.
Answer from James Jones: pic.twitter.com/C9HHRefA94
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) May 9, 2024
The Phoenix Suns traded four first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029), a 2028 first-round pick, and additional draft compensation to acquire Durant. And they don't have a second-round pick from 2024 to 2030.
The Big Three will earn a combined $150 million for the 2024-25 season, according to Spotrac. Durant is expected to make $49.85 million in 2024-25, while Booker will earn $49.35 million next season.
Additionally, Beal will make $50.2 million next season. The three-time All-Star has a no-trade clause and is still owed $160 million. The salary of these three players is more than 14 teams' salary in 2024-25.
Phoenix will enter the postseason with a $209 million payroll, the highest payroll of any NBA team. In fact, the club faces a luxury tax penalty of $116 million.
The Suns could be a second apron team for at least the next three years. This means Phoenix is now forced to rely heavily on small contracts to fill out the roster.
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