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The Phoenix Suns have reportedly fired head coach Mike Budenholzer, which means that it's time for the organization to undergo yet another search.
This means that Suns will now have their fourth head coach since 2019. Here is what we know about what the Suns will want out of their next coach, per Shams Charania (via ESPN):
"Budenholzer had issues connecting with the locker room this season, with team officials concluding that the roster failed to respond to the 2021 NBA championship coach, sources said. Budenholzer's inability to coexist with his players centered around the franchise's cornerstone, Devin Booker, and went down the roster, those sources said.
The Suns will now hold a wide-ranging coaching search, sources said."
Based on Suns owner Mat Ishbia's ties to Michigan State, don't be surprised if some of those names have some connection to Spartans head coach Tom Izzo (like Suns president of player programming Brian Gregory) or even some of Ishbia's prior teammates (e.g. Zach Randolph or Jason Richardson) if they have interest in an assistant gig.
Here are a few realistic candidates who will likely get calls from the organization about the gig:
Denver made a shocking choice to fire head coach Mike Malone (and executive Calvin Booth) even though he won a title in 2023. Malone's championship experience will make him a fascinating candidate for any coaching vacancy as he, like Budenholzer did with the Bucks, has championship experience.
The Grizzlies also made a stunning decision to fire their head coach, Taylor Jenkins, before their upcoming playoff run as well. That means Jenkins will enter this offseason as a free agent and should at least get some considering if the Suns decide to look for external candidates. Jenkins will get another chance as a head coach in the NBA even if it is not with Phoenix.
One of the coaches who could make some sense if the Suns decide to look outside of the organization is Steve Nash, who played for the Suns from 1996 until 1998 and then from 2004 until 2012. Much like Billups and Terry, the two-time NBA MVP is a former pro who had tremendous success as a guard. He played alongside Phoenix executive James Jones for the Suns from 2005 until 2008, although Jones' fate within the organization is currently unknown.
Micah Nori is another name that the Suns may consider after he impressed while briefly taking over for injured Timberwolves head Chris Finch during the playoffs last season. Nori was reportedly in consideration for a head coaching gig with the Cavaliers this past offseason but remained with Minnesota.
According to Rose Garden Report's Sean Highkin, one of the names Phoenix reportedly had as a target was Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. Perhaps the Suns look in a relatively similar direction with Jason Terry, who went to college nearby in Arizona and began his assistant coaching career with the university as well. He is now an assistant with the Jazz and this could make some sense as his first head coaching gig in the NBA.
One wildcard for the Suns to consider is Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden, who just won a national championship in the NCAA. Golden had a tremendously successful campaign in the men's college basketball season and could look to build on that by taking the next step to the NBA. Golden is originally from Phoenix, so his connection to Arizona could make him an especially intriguing candidate.
If the Suns decide they are open to looking at the college ranks, one name that is going to come up is Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, who coached Ishbia when he played at Michigan State. Izzo is 70 years old, so it may not be a long-term solution, but he is likely to at least receive a call from his former player.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Top candidates who may replace fired Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer
Continue reading...
This means that Suns will now have their fourth head coach since 2019. Here is what we know about what the Suns will want out of their next coach, per Shams Charania (via ESPN):
"Budenholzer had issues connecting with the locker room this season, with team officials concluding that the roster failed to respond to the 2021 NBA championship coach, sources said. Budenholzer's inability to coexist with his players centered around the franchise's cornerstone, Devin Booker, and went down the roster, those sources said.
The Suns will now hold a wide-ranging coaching search, sources said."
Based on Suns owner Mat Ishbia's ties to Michigan State, don't be surprised if some of those names have some connection to Spartans head coach Tom Izzo (like Suns president of player programming Brian Gregory) or even some of Ishbia's prior teammates (e.g. Zach Randolph or Jason Richardson) if they have interest in an assistant gig.
Here are a few realistic candidates who will likely get calls from the organization about the gig:
1. Michael Malone
Denver made a shocking choice to fire head coach Mike Malone (and executive Calvin Booth) even though he won a title in 2023. Malone's championship experience will make him a fascinating candidate for any coaching vacancy as he, like Budenholzer did with the Bucks, has championship experience.
2. Taylor Jenkins
The Grizzlies also made a stunning decision to fire their head coach, Taylor Jenkins, before their upcoming playoff run as well. That means Jenkins will enter this offseason as a free agent and should at least get some considering if the Suns decide to look for external candidates. Jenkins will get another chance as a head coach in the NBA even if it is not with Phoenix.
3. Steve Nash
One of the coaches who could make some sense if the Suns decide to look outside of the organization is Steve Nash, who played for the Suns from 1996 until 1998 and then from 2004 until 2012. Much like Billups and Terry, the two-time NBA MVP is a former pro who had tremendous success as a guard. He played alongside Phoenix executive James Jones for the Suns from 2005 until 2008, although Jones' fate within the organization is currently unknown.
4. Micah Nori
Micah Nori is another name that the Suns may consider after he impressed while briefly taking over for injured Timberwolves head Chris Finch during the playoffs last season. Nori was reportedly in consideration for a head coaching gig with the Cavaliers this past offseason but remained with Minnesota.
5. Jason Terry
According to Rose Garden Report's Sean Highkin, one of the names Phoenix reportedly had as a target was Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. Perhaps the Suns look in a relatively similar direction with Jason Terry, who went to college nearby in Arizona and began his assistant coaching career with the university as well. He is now an assistant with the Jazz and this could make some sense as his first head coaching gig in the NBA.
6. Todd Golden
One wildcard for the Suns to consider is Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden, who just won a national championship in the NCAA. Golden had a tremendously successful campaign in the men's college basketball season and could look to build on that by taking the next step to the NBA. Golden is originally from Phoenix, so his connection to Arizona could make him an especially intriguing candidate.
7. Tom Izzo
If the Suns decide they are open to looking at the college ranks, one name that is going to come up is Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, who coached Ishbia when he played at Michigan State. Izzo is 70 years old, so it may not be a long-term solution, but he is likely to at least receive a call from his former player.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Top candidates who may replace fired Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer
Continue reading...
