According to NBA insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the Phoenix Suns are expected to fire Mike Budenholzer.
The Suns missed the playoffs this season. They didn’t even qualify for the play-in tournament.
Budenholzer is in his first season with the Suns. He replaced Frank Vogel, who was also fired after one season.
We at Hoops Wire reported in March that the Suns could fire Budenholzer to appease Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Neither All-Star doesn’t like playing for Budenholzer.
Booker has spent his entire career with the Suns, while Durant was traded to Phoenix in February 2023.
The Golden State Warriors had a deal to acquire Durant at this year’s NBA trade deadline, but the future Hall of Famer blocked it because he didn’t want to get traded “midway through the season.”
“I just didn’t wanna get traded midway through the season,” Durant told NBA reporter Malika Andrews of ESPN. “It was nothing against my time with the Warriors. Or I heard it was because I don’t like Draymond (Green). At the end of the day, I just didn’t wanna move and I wanted to see it through with my team in Phoenix and see what we can do through the rest of the season. So I’m glad I’m still there.”
Most people believe Durant will be traded this summer, but sources told Hoops Wire that the two-time Finals MVP enjoys playing with Booker and living in Phoenix.
If Budenholzer is fired and the Suns hire a coach Durant and Booker sign off on, Durant may remain in the desert.
A two-time Finals MVP, Durant will make $54.7 million next season in the final year of his contract. The Suns will consult Durant on any trade discussions involving him this summer.
Phoenix drafted Booker with the 13th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. The Kentucky product is the Suns’ all-time leading scorer and has no plans to request a trade.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
