Phoenix Suns fire Mike Budenholzer after missing NBA play-offs

LOS ANGELES – The Phoenix Suns fired coach Mike Budenholzer on April 14 after the team failed to reach the National Basketball Association (NBA) play-offs, despite having the largest payroll in the league.

In a terse statement, the Suns said Budenholzer had been sacked after their worst league finish since 2019.

“Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season,” the statement said. “Our fans deserve better. Change is needed.”

The Suns, who invested heavily in a roster which included Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, finished 11th in the Western Conference with a 36-46 record. The trio earned a total of US$150 million (S$197.5 million) this season. Phoenix’s payroll is reportedly around US$220 million, the highest in the NBA, and around US$16 million more than the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are next highest at around US$204 million.

Budenholzer, who joined Phoenix on a five-year US$50 million contract in 2024, is the second Suns coach to last only a single season.

Former Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel was also fired after his lone campaign in 2023-24 following the dismissal of Monty Williams in 2023.

Budenholzer, who led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA Finals victory in 2021, had reportedly struggled to build a rapport with his key players in Phoenix this season.

The Athletic reported on April 14 that Budenholzer had a “contentious” relationship with Booker, which was “seen internally as a major issue”.

Phoenix will likely entertain trade offers for Durant and must figure out what to do about Beal, who has two years and US$110 million left on his no-trade deal. Durant is owed US$54.7 million for 2025-26, the final year of his existing contract.

Durant, Beal and Booker played in only 37 games together because of injuries, going 19-18.

Elsewhere in the NBA, the New Orleans Pelicans fired executive vice-president of basketball operations David Griffin on April 14 after a 61-loss season.

Owner Gayle Benson made the announcement but did not address the future of coach Willie Green, who was hired by Griffin in 2021. Green has a 148-180 record.

ESPN reported on April 14 that the Pelicans hope to replace Griffin with Joe Dumars, who was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2003 with the Detroit Pistons – the year before they won the NBA title. A Louisiana native, Dumars currently serves as the league’s executive vice-president and head of basketball operations.

Griffin had been in charge of the Pelicans since April 17, 2019. The franchise posted a record of 209-263 with just two play-off appearances during his tenure.

Griffin, 51, was the architect of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2015-16 NBA championship team and arrived in New Orleans with great hopes.

His first draft pick was Zion Williamson, taken No. 1 overall in 2019. Griffin traded Anthony Davis – who demanded a trade – to the Lakers for Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball and three first-round picks.

Williamson has often been injured during his career, playing in 214 games and missing 268 because of a variety of injuries, and his lack of availability has kept the Pelicans from gaining much momentum with him being in and out of the line-up.

Under Griffin, the Pelicans made the play-offs following the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons. AFP, REUTERS