The Phoenix Suns are set to appoint Mike Budenholzer, former coach of the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks, as their next head coach, per a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Budenholzer’s forthcoming contract is anticipated to be in the eight-figure range annually. He previously led the Bucks to an NBA championship in the 2020-21 season but was dismissed at the end of the last season following a disappointing first-round playoff exit.
Budenholzer will be replacing Frank Vogel, who was let go earlier this week after a single season with the Suns. Despite having a high-caliber lineup featuring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, Vogel struggled to achieve consistent success, largely due to injuries among his star players.
The Suns’ season ended prematurely when they were ousted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
With a proven track record of developing talent like Giannis Antetokounmpo into a two-time MVP under his guidance, Budenholzer is well-equipped to handle the Suns’ trio of Durant, Booker, and Beal.
His primary challenge will be to unify and optimize the supporting cast to complement his star players and make a significant postseason impact.
