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It took the Phoenix Suns a little longer than some expected, but on Thursday, they fired head coach Frank Vogel nearly two weeks after they were swept out of the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The move had been speculated for days, and now he is out after just one season at the helm of the Suns.
Right away, Adrian Wojnarowski revealed the frontrunner to be Vogel’s replacement: Mike Budenholzer.
Budenholzer is the Suns’ target and talks are expected to move quickly, sources tell ESPN. He’s been working to assemble a coaching staff for a return to a head coaching job and that process is also gathering momentum, sources said. https://t.co/PSWPi9C6Pr
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 9, 2024
Budenholzer, like Vogel, has won an NBA championship in recent years and has coached superstars before.
He was the Milwaukee Bucks’ head coach for five years starting in the 2018-19 season, and he guided Giannis Antetokounmpo and crew to the best record in the Eastern Conference three times during that span.
But other than winning that world title in 2021, the Bucks have also suffered some crushing playoff defeats.
In 2019, they blew a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the following year, they lost in five games in the second round to the underdog Miami Heat.
Last season, they fell in five games again to Miami, this time in the first round, leading to Budenholzer getting fired.
Phoenix has as much star power as any other NBA team behind Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, but they don’t have a true point guard or a dependable bench.
They also lack above-average defenders, not to mention the draft capital that could help them address these roster weaknesses.
Many felt the Suns had a real shot at reaching the NBA Finals when this season started, but now, a somewhat dark cloud is hanging over the franchise.
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