Tipster profile image
Angel Todorov
likedin icon
Sports Editor authorBadge
Last Updated:

3 min read

Suns dismiss head coach Mike Budenholzer after 1 campaign
google news logo Follow us
Add comment
Phoenix fired the manager after missing the playoffs.

After missing the National Basketball League postseason and play-in tournament with the largest payroll in NBA history, the Phoenix Suns have dismissed head coach Mike Budenholzer, the franchise shared today.

“Winning championships remains our goal, and we didn’t deliver in the current campaign. Our supporters deserve better. Change must be made,” the organization wrote.

For the 3rd straight campaign, Phoenix owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and GM James Jones are changing bosses. The Suns ended the season 36-46.

Mike had problems connecting with the locker room during the campaign, with Suns officials concluding that the roster failed to respond to Budenholzer. The 2021 NBA championship coach’s inability to coexist with his basketballers centered around the organization’s star Devin Booker.

Mike accepted Phoenix’s head coaching position on a 5-year, 50 million dollar deal in the past offseason, appointed for his championship experience.

Phoenix became the 3rd organization in league history to start 8-1 or better and miss the postseason, as the other two cases were Detroit Pistons in 1970-71 and Milwaukee Bucks in 2001-02.