Detailing some of the issues that led to Mike Budenholzer‘s ouster in Phoenix, NBA insider Chris Haynes (YouTube link) reports that Budenholzer told Bradley Beal earlier in the season that he wanted him to play more like Jrue Holiday.
That was “not well-received” by the three-time All-Star, Haynes says, and Phoenix-based insider John Gambadoro confirms as much. According to Gambadoro (Twitter link), Beal responded by telling Budenholzer, “Don’t ever disrespect me like that. Don’t ever tell me to play like another player.”
Communication with his players was a recurring issue for Budenholzer in Phoenix, per Haynes, who says the veteran head coach also butted heads with Jusuf Nurkic by criticizing his screening ability and telling him he’s a “bad teammate.” Haynes previously reported that Budenholzer told Devin Booker to “tone it down vocally” during games and film sessions, which ESPN’s Brian Windhorst confirms.
Booker began speaking to reporters more late in the season about the importance of his “voice,” which was intentional, sources tell ESPN. As Windhorst explains, Booker appeared to be sending a message to a coach on his way out and making it clear he’ll have more say going forward.
“[I need] to be a leader and use my voice more,” Booker said last week. Asked if he was referring to speaking to teammates, coaches, or management, the star guard added, “Everybody.”
Here’s more out of Phoenix:
- The Suns have privately acknowledged they made a mistake by not involving Kevin Durant and his manager/agent Rich Kleiman when they explored trade possibilities involving Durant prior to February’s deadline, Windhorst writes. The front office wanted to keep discussions closed like Dallas did with Luka Doncic, Windhorst explains, but word leaked after the Suns had to talk to possible third-team facilitators. All parties will be involved in that process during the offseason, with Kleiman planning to travel to Phoenix this week to have discussions with the Suns, sources tell ESPN.
- While it may be a challenge for the Suns to find an appealing trade with a team willing to extend Durant, it’s possible there will be potential suitors who are OK with taking on the risk of acquiring the star forward as a one-year rental, says Windhorst. “Durant is a top-three name in this league,” a high-ranking NBA official told ESPN. “I can see a team who’d love to have him for a season just to sell tickets.”
- Booker will be eligible this season for a two-year, maximum-salary extension and the expectation is that the Suns will put that offer on the table, sources tell ESPN. Windhorst refers to that potential deal – which would lock up Booker through 2029/30 – as being worth $149.8MM, but that’s just a projection for now, based on the cap increasing by the maximum 10% in each of the next four seasons.
- After letting go of former head coach Monty Williams, Suns owner Mat Ishbia was “very focused” on hiring a replacement with a championship on his résumé, which was a major factor in the team choosing Frank Vogel in 2023 and Budenholzer in 2024, Windhorst writes. This time around, the team may prioritize a candidate who is better suited to build relationships with players, according to Windhorst, who hears from sources that Ishbia will be paying former Suns coaches about $18MM next season.
- According to Haynes (YouTube link), the Suns are expected to “look into and evaluate” the following head coaching candidates as they decide who they want to try to interview: former Kings coach Mike Brown, current Pelicans coach Willie Green, Heat assistant Chris Quinn, Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, Mavericks assistants Sean Sweeney and Jared Dudley, Rockets assistant Royal Ivey, their own assistant David Fizdale, and former Suns assistant (and current BYU head coach) Kevin Young. That may not be a comprehensive list of candidates for the job.
- In a pair of stories for GoPHNX.com, Gerald Bourguet takes a closer look at why Budenholzer was fired and lists 10 potential candidates to replace him.
Durant to Pistons, it’s a perfect fit.
I’m going to respectfully disagree. That would be taking a shortcut.
The Pistons have built it the correct way the last few years and they are growing together. Why muck it up by bringing a 37 year-old very complex personality into the mix?
No no, Durant has to go to a veteran team missing a guy. Warriors type team, but of course not them.
Miami would be great or another veteran team that could use 25 a game from the wing.
Not sure about Houston. They’re kind of a mix between young and veteran. The Knicks are veterans but probably not going to work there.
Lakers? Clippers? Sacramento Kings? All veteran teams.
The only right move is going back to New York and destroying the Knicks like he did the Nets
At Gary. Most Detriots guys contributing are on rookie scale or smaller deals. Now is the time to strike. Essentially, bringing in KD for say Tobias Harris won’t hurt at this point. Draymond Stewart jr can go elsewhere too. Makes sense for Detriot in my opinion.
I would say your point of view is valid. Maybe it’s time to get that sniper and go for it?
The young guys aren’t up for a big contract just yet. Surround them with guys they can learn off and take them further.
People forget that Houston owns the next few Suns’ drafts including this year. They want those picks back so KD will be a Rocket.
Rockets have gone on record numerous times saying they want to build from within and not have a bunch of overpaid fossils around.
Suns need to break it all down and start over. Then hire a hot shot young guy. Could be an assistant, could be a up-and-coming college guy disenchanted with the NIL garbage.
None of the names in the list above intrigue me except for perhaps Jared Dudley. I’ve only heard good things about him. Is it his time? I don’t know.
Yea a guy who likes his players to be unpaid. That will go super well in the NBA, right???
Paying players is garbage?
The transferring in and out so easily is the garbage part of the NIL.
The money is part of college athletics and always has been lol.
Wonder what coach the Suns will give a massive contract to then fire
Asked Beal to play like a champion and got rebuked, criticized Nurkic for poor screens and that was a problem, asked Booker to quiet down and let him coach. Didn’t anybody tell Budenholzer that the players run this team? I have disliked the Suns ever since that bush league BS of getting Booker 70 points in a game they were getting destroyed in a few years ago. Couldn’t be happier watching them fall apart.
I found that hilarious. Like Brad, have you seen your results over like 80% of your career. You DEFINITELY need to consider playing like someone else😂
Winning a championship does not making you a great coach. Also makes that Ayton stuff seem more interesting now.
And Durant’s blow up at Budenhozer more funny.
The softest team money can buy.
Not sure how any good coach would want the job after the Suns owner willnot take responsibility and micro manage the club. They need to rebuild but will the owner let the new coach rebuild?
Because they will get a 3 year contract and get fired after the first year. 2 years free vacation. That’s quite an incentive at any workplace.
The entire front office needs to be fired
Not a Suns guy…but man those are an awful list of candidates.
Ishbia basically conveying he has learned absolutely nothing from this year’s epic failure. Suns fans are in for a long decade plus.
“In a pair of stories for GoPHNX.com, Gerald Bourguet takes a closer look at why Budenholzer was fired and lists 10 potential candidates to replace him.”
GoPHNX.com is a subscription site and those linked stories are behind a paywall. That needs to be noted in the article, and more information from those stories included in this aggregation for those who don’t care to subscribe to read the source articles.
Yes, I would agree with this. Such a teaser and it’s not like it’s the athletic where some guys here subscribe, but goPhnix? Who subscribes to that outside of AZ?
At least give us a hint Luke as to what the article states.., may be a couple of the 10 reasons and a couple of the candidates that you saw when you read the article?
Thanks we appreciate you and everything you do Luke. Just a little feedback from your biggest fans.
Neither of those stories was behind a paywall when I published this story. Just double-checked in an Incognito window and it seems like that’s still the case. If they had been behind a paywall, I would’ve either noted that or not used them.
Sincerest apologies for piggybacking on a thought without checking the facts myself. No excuse for that type of thing.
Yep clicked on it and read the article fine.
I feel very low right now because I was quick to point out an error and I was the one who was wrong.
Sorry Luke !!!
Holiday is better than Beal.
Why are we talking about the Suns? Two great games on tonight. They can have my attention once they’ve earned it. Yeah, that’s how I ride…
4th coach will be the one for sure
With the roster you have and owner who only wants to win surprised in their coaching names there was no Jenkins or Malone.
Right !!
Most desirable coaching gig in the league. Under performing about to trade guys it’s a win win. Nothing expected now and the last two coaches are getting paid for the next 4 and 5 years lol. I’m a very competitive guy as I’m sure some of these coaches are. I’m sure buds feelings have taken a hit, but I think he’ll see the bright side whenever he withdraws money, lol.
Suns should promote the coach from within. Fizdale knows the inside and the players know him. Booker is not 1a.