NBA Rumors: Mike Budenholzer 'Frontrunner' for Suns HC Job After Frank Vogel Firing
The Phoenix Suns aren't waiting long to chase Frank Vogel's successor.
On the same day that Vogel was fired by the team, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that former Milwaukee Bucks' head coach Mike Budenholzer was "emerging as the frontrunner" to be hired as the replacement.
Woj added that "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."
Budenholzer, 54, has had stints with the Atlanta Hawks (2013-14 to 2017-18) and the Bucks (2018-19 to 2022-23), leading his teams to a 484-317 record, nine playoff appearances in 10 seasons and a title in the 2020-21 campaign with Milwaukee.
But after the Bucks lost to the Miami Heat in the first round of last year's postseason, Budenholzer got the hook.
That proved to be a miscalculation of sorts by Milwaukee's front office, or at least their succession plan was. Adrian Griffin was fired despite a 30-13 start, as the Bucks had very real defensive issues and he may have lost the locker room.
His replacement, Doc Rivers, stumbled his way to a 17-19 mark and a first-round ouster against the Indiana Pacers (albeit as the team dealt with major injury issues during the series, including to superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo).
As for the Suns, Vogel went 49-33 in his first year on the job but the team was swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. The trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal never quite found a rhythm together, and the roster around them lacked a true point guard, rim-protecting center or virtually any quality depth.
But where Vogel has always been a more defensive-minded coach, Budenholzer has traditionally featured more open and effective offensive schemes.
Everything in Phoenix revolves around getting the most out of Durant, Booker and Beal. Budenholzer would certainly be one of the higher-profile hirings the team could make in that effort.
