Phoenix Suns to Hire Mike Budenholzer as New Coach, per Report

Mike McDaniel | May 10, 2024

Apr 2, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer calls a play in / Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Suns will hire former Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer as the franchise's next head coach, according to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The contract for Budenholzer is "expected to approach" eight figures per year.

Budenholzer led the Bucks to the 2020-21 NBA title, but was relieved of his duties at the conclusion of last season after a disappointing first round playoff exit.

Budenholzer takes over for Frank Vogel, who was fired this week after one season leading the Suns. Vogel was unable to get the most out of the star-studded trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal as the three struggled to all stay healthy at the same time.

Vogel was in a tough position when one of his three stars were out of the lineup, as the Suns had a disjointed supporting cast that were unable to jell well enough to make a deep run in the postseason. The Suns were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Budenholzer is no stranger to coaching stars, as he authored Giannis Antetokounmpo's ascent to becoming a two-time league MVP. While he has three franchise pillars to lead in Durant, Booker and Beal, his job will be centered around the success of the rest of the roster around his star players.