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Phoenix Suns Make Important Mike Budenholzer Announcement Amid Intriguing Offseason

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated 5/16/24

Frank Vogel’s successor as head coach of the Phoenix Suns is known, with Mike Budenholzer taking over the role following the team’s embarrassing exit from the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The Suns franchise will also formally introduce their new head coach this Friday, as announced by Phoenix via social media.

But even before his official introduction, Budenholzer has already started to go down to work with the team. He was spotted with Suns general manager James Jones at the NBA Draft Combine in Windy City this week. The 22nd head coach in the Suns franchise history, Budenholzer will look to get the team back on track after Phoenix, despite a talented roster, got swept in the first round by Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Is Mike Budenholzer the Right Man for Phoenix Suns Head Coaching Job?

The Suns have had a lot of changes in the head-coaching position over the last several years. They started the last decade with Alvin Gentry at the helm then he was replaced by Jeff Hornacek. After three seasons, Hornacek and the Suns split ways and Earl Watson took over.

Then came Monty Williams, who led the Suns to an NBA Finals appearance in 2021. Williams was fired in 2023. Vogel was tapped to coach the team after but only lasted just a season. As the seventh Suns head coach in 10 years, will Phoenix finally find the perfect match in Budenholzer?

That can’t be answered right away, but what’s clear is that he’s got great talent to work with — assuming, of course, that the Suns don’t blow the team up. That’s unlikely to happen, though, since they’re not going to hire a championship coach only to hit the reset button. At least that’s how many people see it.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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