Suns Reportedly 'Highly Unlikely' to Pursue Veteran HC After Budenholzer, Vogel Exits

The Phoenix Suns fired their last two head coaches (Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer) after just one season each, and they reportedly plan on taking a different approach heading into the 2025-26 campaign.

NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported Sunday that "Phoenix is highly unlikely to pursue another veteran coach" following the quick departures of Vogel and Budenholzer. Both coaches had five-year deals but didn't even make it to their second season.

Phoenix also fired Monty Williams after the 2022-23 season, so it would snap a three-year firing streak if it keeps its next coach beyond the 2025-26 campaign.

It was arguably the most disappointing team in the league this season, as it didn't even qualify for the Western Conference play-in tournament despite having the star power of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

Budenholzer figured to find success with that group, considering he won the 2021 championship with the Milwaukee Bucks and went 213-97 with four playoff appearances in five seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.

He was even better in Milwaukee at 271-120 in five seasons.

Yet his first and only season with the Suns was marred by inconsistency, injury concerns and trade rumors for significant deals that never materialized in part because of Beal's no-trade clause. That no-trade clause may have stood in the way of the team acquiring Jimmy Butler, who ended up on the Golden State Warriors.

Going with an unproven coach instead of a veteran could signal something of a shift into rebuilding mode where the front office will focus on surrounding Booker with young talent.

That may mean trading Durant or Beal this offseason, which could put the new coach in a difficult situation if they are expected to win in the immediate future.

Stein listed Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Johnnie Bryant and Houston Rockets assistant coach Royal Ivey as "names to monitor." He also suggested Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Jared Dudley is someone who could be a candidate for the position.

Phoenix will be under the spotlight throughout the offseason, and its first significant move will likely be hiring the next coach.