After being swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs, the Phoenix Suns dismissed Frank Vogel and are currently looking for a replacement.
According to ESPN source Adrian Wojnarowski, the Phoenix Suns have picked Mike Budenholzer as their top contender for the coaching position, and both sides are allegedly close to reaching an agreement.
The anticipated hiring of the former Milwaukee Bucks coach demonstrates Mat Ishbia’s desire to go all in with his limited window of opportunity, which includes Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker. Mike Budenholzer is set to become the squad’s third head coach in three seasons, after Mat Ishbia purchased the team in late 2022.
Is Mike Budenholzer the right hire for the Phoenix Suns?
Mike Budenholzer knows how to lead a team to victory, as he did with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2020-21, when they defeated the Phoenix Suns (under Monty Williams and without Mat Ishbia) in six games in the NBA Finals.
The two-time NBA Coach of the Year is known for his defensive abilities, which the Phoenix Suns require after posting a poor 114.6 defensive rating during the regular season, but to be fair, Budenholzer had a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo on his roster.
Budenholzer, an Arizona native, has a 271-120 win-loss record in five seasons as the Milwaukee Bucks’ head coach.
He was sacked by the Milwaukee Bucks last spring and replaced by Adrian Griffin, then Doc Rivers. Mike Budenholzer formerly worked as a long-time assistant for the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich and as the Atlanta Hawks’ head coach for five years.
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