With only a few games left in the regular season, the Suns already knew their playoff hopes were over. Kevin Durant’s late-season injury certainly didn’t help, and reports of tension between Durant and Budenholzer only added fuel to the fire. As a result, the team fell short of one of its main goals.

In response to the disappointing season, the Suns decided to part ways with Budenholzer. Team owner Mat Ishbia didn’t hold back when addressing the coach’s departure. “The team, and the roster that was constructed, is much better than a 36-win roster. There’s a lot of reasons why Coach Bud is not here,” Ishbia said in a press conference.

The comments highlight a strained relationship between Budenholzer and the organization. His coaching style never quite clicked in Phoenix, and his inability to elevate the team led to an abrupt end to his tenure.

Ishbia explains one of the key reasons for firing Budenholzer

Amid speculation surrounding Budenholzer’s departure, including reports of internal conflicts and poor player relationships, Suns owner Mat Ishbia clarified the situation, pointing directly to performance issues. “The results didn’t align with our expectations,” Ishbia said, noting that the front office had a realistic assessment of the team’s potential.

He emphasized that the decision was driven by on-court results and Budenholzer’s overall approach to managing a roster built to contend. “Among all the reasons, Bud isn’t here because he didn’t lead the team to the results we wanted,” Ishbia added.

Early candidates to reportedly replace Budenholzer

With the Suns’ season officially over, Ishbia and the front office are actively exploring new coaching options. According to reports, several names have emerged as potential replacements for Budenholzer. Here’s a look at the leading candidates:

• Mike Brown
• James Borrego
• Johnnie Bryant
• Chris Quinn
• Jared Dudley
• Sean Sweeney
• Royal Ivey
• Ben Sullivan

The conflict between Bradley Beal and former head coach Mike Budenholzer reportedly began with a surprising request from the coach. According to Chris Haynes, Budenholzer told Beal he wanted him to play like Jrue Holiday. The Suns guard did not take it well and responded immediately. Beal made his feelings clear. As reported by John Gambadoro, Beal replied, “Don’t ever disrespect me like that. Don’t ever tell me to play like another player.”

Mike Budenholzer may have had a good idea by trying to redefine Bradley Beal’s role. However, the way he communicated it hurt the player’s mindset. His words came off as too rigid and left no room for conversation. As a result, Beal lost confidence and his performance declined.

In his second NBA season with the Suns, Beal has not matched the numbers he posted with the Washington Wizards. During his first year in Phoenix, he averaged 18.2 points per game. This season, he dropped to 17 points per game. That is his lowest mark since the 2014–15 campaign.

Despite that, he still ranked as the team’s third-leading scorer. But that says more about the team’s overall struggles than Beal’s value. He also failed to stand out in other areas. His averages of 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists show he has not made a strong impact across the board.

Mike Budenholzer’s exit may not be the only one: Kevin Durant hints at possible departure from Phoenix Suns

Mike Budenholzer’s time with the Phoenix Suns fell short of expectations, as he failed to establish a long-term sports project. Despite the instability, Kevin Durant has remained a consistent force. At 36 years old, the veteran forward delivered another strong campaign, averaging 26.6 points, six rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Over the past three seasons, he has cemented his role as the team’s offensive leader.

Even so, the failed trade attempt in the previous window affected Durant deeply. He reportedly wants to leave the Suns, not only because of that situation, but also because he’s looking for an ambitious project. His goal remains clear: winning a third NBA championship. In recent days, speculation about his future has intensified.

NBA insider Shane Young added fuel to the fire with a message on X, formerly Twitter, writing that if Durant does leave the Suns, it was an ‘excellent experience’ covering him. Durant’s reply hinted at closure: “Shane, I appreciate your approach to your work, u made basketball convos fun and easy. Great working with u brother and I appreciate the kind words.” This response sounded like a farewell. Besides, Durant did not deny the idea of a trade, which only fueled the speculation.

Despite Kevin Durant and Devin Booker’s efforts to secure a playoff spot, the Suns were unable to maintain their strong start to the season. The team struggled in the final stretch of the regular season, and despite Budenholzer’s attempts to turn things around, they ultimately missed the playoffs.

“Sources tell ESPN that the Phoenix Suns have dismissed head coach Mike Budenholzer after a subpar 36-46 season that saw the team finish 11th in the Western Conference,” Charania posted on his X account.

Following the exit, the Suns may consider targeting candidates like Michael Malone, who was recently dismissed by the Denver Nuggets despite leading the team to the playoffs. Additionally, the franchise is reportedly keen on extending Kevin Durant’s contract for the upcoming season, though it remains a challenging prospect.

Budenholzer’s stats in his season with the Suns

Despite previous success with the Milwaukee Bucks, Budenholzer’s tenure with the Phoenix Suns proved less fruitful. In his lone season with the Suns, Budenholzer struggled to make an impact, particularly during the regular season.

Despite having star players like Durant, Booker, and Bradley Beal on his roster, the Suns’ defensive issues ultimately led to their elimination. Budenholzer finished the season with a 36-46 record, marking one of the lowest points in his coaching career, just behind his final season with the Atlanta Hawks (24-58).

With the Suns on the brink of elimination, fans are left grappling with the reality of their team’s playoff prospects. Phoenix is just one win away from securing a play-in spot, but they’ll be hoping the Sacramento Kings don’t complete a season that’s already been fraught with struggles.

The real concern, however, is the Suns’ recent performance. The team has failed to replicate the form they showed earlier in the season. Following the loss to the Rockets, Budenholzer addressed the team’s struggles and the challenges ahead without Durant in the lineup.

“A couple of days ago, we won four games in a row, so we’ve got to find our way back to that,” Budenholzer said post-game. “In this league, you never know what’s coming next, but we didn’t play well. We’ve got to find a way to turn it around and get better.”

Budenholzer added, “We have a group that will fight until the end. We’ve got to bring it on Tuesday. Tonight was a bad night, there’s no sugarcoating it. There’s desperation, but you’ve got to keep playing even if you feel that.“

Durant’s absence from the team

With no official updates on his injury, Suns head coach provided some clarity regarding Durant’s status, confirming that the star forward will miss the team’s flight to Milwaukee for Tuesday’s matchup against the Bucks.

“As of now, he’s not going to fly with us tomorrow,” Budenholzer said. “I can’t provide any more details until we have more information, but for sure, he won’t be in the squad against the Bucks.“

Budenholzer reflects on injuries throughout the season

This isn’t the first time the Suns have had to cope with injuries to key players this season, but Durant’s injury is especially challenging as the team enters a crucial stretch. With just seven games left in the regular season, Phoenix is relying on its remaining players to secure at least a spot in the play-in tournament.

Budenholzer expressed frustration over the injuries and their impact on the team’s performance. “I think every team has to manage injuries,” he said. “We’ve dealt with some throughout the season, and we’ve done our best to manage that. But we haven’t played well, and we need to keep pushing.“

As speculation around Budenholzer‘s future with the Suns grew, largely sparked by a surprising interaction he had with Durant during the team’s latest game, the Suns star addressed the situation. Durant explained his approach to helping the team through his comments and how he aims to contribute to the game plan.

Durant didn’t hesitate to share his thoughts with the media following Wednesday’s practice. “I’m asking him, ‘Yo, Coach, what do you think? Should we do this here?’ If he doesn’t think so, I’ll move on. I know your wording is subtle, a word might be off a little bit. I’ve never been the type to tell somebody what to do,” Durant explained.

With this statement, Durant made it clear that his goal is to bring his experience into the team’s game plan in order to help drive victories. He continued to discuss the situation with Budenholzer and what’s happening with the team moving forward.

Durant shares thoughts on Budenholzer’s approach to coaching

Kevin Durant made it clear that there’s a difference between offering feedback to a coach and attempting to dictate the game plan. Speaking candidly, Durant addressed both points, emphasizing that he has never tried to alter Budenholzer’s strategy during a game.

“Coach gives me the freedom to approach him if I see something on the court that might be different. I think everyone on the team has that confidence to go to Coach with ideas. But I’m not telling him what to do,” Durant explained to the media after practice.

Durant also clarified that he doesn’t mind whether his suggestions are taken into account. “I’m offering suggestions, and if it helps, it helps. If he doesn’t take them, then you move on to the next thing,” Durant remarked.

Budenholzer addresses heated exchange with Durant

Speculation about Budenholzer’s future with the Suns was further fueled by a heated exchange that occurred during a timeout between him and Durant. Despite concerns about their relationship, Budenholzer downplayed the incident, calling it a typical disagreement between a coach and player. He also stressed the team’s focus on their playoff push.

“There are still 14 games left. We need to get into the play-in, make the playoffs, and see what we can do from there. We’ve got a lot of talent in the locker room and a lot of fight. We’ve got to start winning to get there, and I think the guys know that,” Budenholzer said after the Suns’ game against the Lakers.

“The Phoenix Suns are a disaster,” Kendrick Perkins said on NBA Today on ESPN. “This team has completely quit on their coach.” Putting himself in the coach’s shoes, the former center reflected: “If I’m Mike Budenholzer, I throw out the rankings at this point.”

The 2008 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics then made it clear that, in his view, this is the moment for the coach to make drastic changes: “There are no more franchise players. I’m playing the guys who are going to compete.”

Perkins took his proposal even further, suggesting that the Suns’ top stars could be benched or have their roles reduced. “If that means Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal don’t get the minutes, then so be it,” Perkins added. “He (Budenholzer) has nothing to lose.”

What will happen with Budenholzer?

While Kendrick Perkins is urging Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer to make a bold move, which could reduce the involvement of the team’s stars, there are also rumors swirling about the coach’s own future with the team.

According to reporter Sam Amico, the Suns are reportedly considering to sack Budenholzer in an effort to keep Durant and Booker happy. “The Phoenix Suns could fire head coach Mike Budenholzer in the offseason to appease stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, an NBA source told Hoops Wire,” Amico wrote.

Can the Suns compete in the West?

The Phoenix Suns are currently 11th in the Western Conference with a 32-37 record. They still have a chance to reach the Play-In tournament, with the 10th seed currently held by the Dallas Mavericks, who are only one win ahead.

However, the Mavericks seem to have all but given up on competing this season, with injuries to key players, particularly Kyrie Irving‘s ACL tear, and the pending recovery of Anthony Davis, who is unlikely to be pushed beyond reasonable limits for the rest of the season.

Given this situation, Phoenix still has a viable path to the playoffs. The challenge, however, lies in their own performance. The trio of Durant, Booker, and Beal has not been enough to elevate the team collectively. That said, performances like Monday’s dominant victory over the Toronto Raptors suggest that the Suns may still have time to turn things around.

Emmanuel took aim at the Suns’ lack of offensive efficiency, particularly in their matchups against Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers. “How much longer are you gon’ let Luka son you? The Suns are an abomination to the game of basketball. How are you an offensive team but you can’t score no points? That’s like being an air conditioner but you can’t cool no room,” stated Acho.

His criticism did not stop there. Emmanuel Acho also questioned how a team with stars like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Luka Doncic could allow Austin Reaves to become one of the game’s most impactful players. “In what world can you have Devin Booker on the court, Luka Doncic on the court, Kevin Durant on the court, but Austin Reaves is the second or third-best player on the court?” he added exposing Suns’ defensive issues.

The Phoenix Suns have a talented roster, yet Mike Budenholzer has struggled to fully tap into their offensive potential. With stars like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, the team should have no trouble scoring. However, they have underperformed on both ends of the floor. Emmanuel Acho’s comments reflect the growing frustration among Suns fans. They feel the team has wasted valuable years with a legend like Durant.

Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins gives a bold statement on Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer

Former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins did not hold back when addressing the Phoenix Suns’ struggles. The team, under head coach Mike Budenholzer, has failed to live up to expectations.

Despite a star-studded roster with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, the Suns continue to underperform. They’ve suffered a series of losses and played inconsistently. Perkins criticized the team’s lack of effort. He also questioned their commitment to their coach.

“A disaster. A team that has quit on their coach. And, if I’m Mike Budenholzer, to be honest, there’s no more rankings in the locker room. There’s no more franchise guys. I’m playing the guys that are going to compete for me, and if that means Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal not getting the minutes, then damn it, so be it,” stated Perkins.

Amidst the uncertainty in Phoenix, the Suns‘ 31-37 record highlights their struggles this season. Despite Durant and Booker being the focal points of the offense, the team has not lived up to the high expectations set earlier in the year.

A recent report from Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico suggests that the Suns may make a coaching change in the offseason to keep their star duo happy. “The Phoenix Suns could fire head coach Mike Budenholzer in the offseason to appease stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, an NBA source told Hoops Wire,” Amico wrote.

With each game bringing them closer to the end of the regular season, the Suns‘ playoff aspirations are slipping further in the competitive Western Conference. After a tough loss to the Lakers on Sunday, Phoenix faces an uphill battle to turn their season around. But there may be more happening behind the scenes, particularly in the locker room.

The reported relationship between Budenholzer, Durant, and Booker

Amid rumors suggesting that Budenholzer might exit the Suns at the end of the season, there are also whispers about his relationship with the team’s star players, Durant and Booker. According to reports, there has been some speculation regarding the dynamic between Budenholzer and the two stars.

This rumored tension could explain why Durant and the Suns have yet to engage in contract discussions this season. Speculation around Durant’s potential departure has grown, with rumors suggesting a reunion with LeBron James and Luka Doncic on another high-profile team as a possible destination.

However, with the season still ongoing and the Suns currently sitting in 11th place in the NBA Western Conference standings, there is still hope for a play-in spot. If Phoenix can secure a spot in the play-in tournament, things could shift, and there may be more to the Suns’ situation by the end of the season.

Budenholzer’s thoughts on heated exchange with Durant

Another factor fueling speculation about Budenholzer’s future with the Suns is a heated exchange that took place during a timeout between him and Durant. While this sparked concerns about their relationship, Budenholzer downplayed the incident, describing it as a typical disagreement between player and coach. He also emphasized the team’s focus on their playoff aspirations.

“There are still 14 games left. We need to get into the play-in, make the playoffs, and see what we can do from there. We’ve got a lot of talent in the locker room and a lot of fight. We’ve got to start winning to get there, and I think the guys know that,” Budenholzer said in his post-game remarks following the Suns’ matchup against the Lakers.

Speaking on The Draymond Green Show alongside Baron Davis, Green downplayed the notion that Durant is prone to clashing with NBA coaches, suggesting the incident could be a sign of mounting frustration in Phoenix.

“One thing I can assure you is KD isn’t a coach arguer,” Green said. “Every now and then, he’s going to stand his ground, of course, but he’s not just going to get into it with the coach. He’s not a player who thinks he’s bigger than a coach—none of that. What I know for certain is they had their moment, and they’re moving on. If KD could just play the game and focus solely on basketball, he’d play for another 10 years.”

Green, who spent three seasons alongside Durant in Golden State, understands the forward’s temperament better than most. His comments suggest that the Suns’ internal struggles are more about performance pressure than any lingering tension between Durant and Budenholzer. With Phoenix needing a late-season push to reach the postseason, keeping the locker room in sync will be crucial. If not, speculation about Durant’s future with the franchise could gain traction heading into the offseason.

Kevin Durant addresses coaching clash

Amid growing narratives surrounding his sideline dispute with Budenholzer, Durant himself addressed the situation, dismissing the idea that there’s any lingering rift between them. Speaking to AZ Central’s Duane Rankin, Durant described the exchange as a natural display of passion between two individuals determined to turn the team’s fortunes around.

“If we both didn’t care, we’d never have stuff like that,” Durant explained. “The wins are going to sweep all that stupid stuff under the rug because people couldn’t wait to run with that and say, ‘This is the reason why the team isn’t playing well.’ That just shows that me and Bud really care about righting the ship and trying to win basketball games.”

“He understands where I’m coming from, and I understand exactly where he’s coming from. It’s just people outside who don’t understand the dynamic of the relationship. In order for them to get some attention, they’re going to roll with stuff like that.”

With the Suns fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, Durant and Budenholzer will need to stay aligned in their vision. Whether this moment strengthens the team or signals deeper issues remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Phoenix needs answers fast.

“That’s what usually happens when you don’t know the dynamics of a relationship,” Durant said during the post-game press conference, according to Fadeawayworld. “You catch something on TV, you get a quote, and now you pushing that narrative as if me and Bud don’t do that (expletive) all the time.”

Kevin then emphasized the trust he shares with Budenholzer, allowing them to have these exchanges. “He allows me as a player on the team, a veteran on the team, to voice my opinion. If we both didn’t care, we would never have stuff like that,” Durant continued. “We competitive as two individuals who want to see things done the right way, and sometimes my way ain’t the way that Bud want to do it and vice versa.”

The forward also criticized those who, he claimed, exploit these moments to create a narrative. “Even some people in Phoenix, in here, couldn’t wait to run with that and say, ‘This is the reason why the team ain’t playing well, because of that specific thing,’” Durant explained. “But come on man, that shows that me and Bud really care about trying to right this ship and trying to win basketball games… So, I’m glad that the win is going to sweep all of that stupid stuff under the rug.”

What did Budenholzer say about his argument with Durant?

At the post-game press conference, Mike Budenholzer was also asked about the argument with Kevin Durant and echoed a similar message to that of the forward. “He and I are like old friends or whatever, we’re always probably grabbing and talking to each other,” Budenholzer said.

The Suns head coach immediately praised Durant’s energy: “I thought actually his energy and his voice tonight was great. I think there was some kind of offensive play. He wanted something, I wanted something, and it’s the beauty of basketball.”

Suns’ expectations

Tuesday night’s win marks a positive step forward for Phoenix in its pursuit of a postseason berth. While the Suns are still on the outside looking in, they are not far from securing a spot in the Play-In Tournament. With a 29-33 record, the Suns sit in 11th place, just behind the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Sacramento Kings, all of whom are barely ahead of them.

However, Kevin Durant remains cautious about the team’s expectations. “Can’t think about the big picture too much,” he acknowledged during an interview with TNT after the game. “We’re in a tough position to think about the playoffs right now, so we gotta focus on each game, each task, each possession ahead of us and see what we can do.”

“No, coach said it too. We have multiple conversations and I can’t seem to find one that sticks out more than others. It’s a player-coach relationship. When things start going back, everybody tries to point the finger to find out what is wrong. People are gonna come up with stuff. The relationship is great. We’re on the same page, we’re trying to win, and that’s that,“ stated Booker.

Despite ongoing rumors, Devin Booker remains one of the Phoenix Suns’ top performers this season. He is averaging 26 points per game, proving his value as a consistent scoring threat. Besides, he has embraced a larger playmaking role, averaging 6.9 assists per game. His ability to create opportunities has elevated the team’s overall performance.

As the season moves forward, the Phoenix Suns will lean heavily on Devin Booker’s leadership to overcome challenges. Their record may not reflect their championship aspirations, but Booker’s chemistry with Mike Budenholzer will be key in turning things around. If Devin maintains his stellar play and Phoenix improves defensively, they could still emerge as a threat in the NBA Western Conference.

Amid Suns’ losing streak, Houston Rockets reportedly targeting two franchise stars

Amid the Phoenix Suns’ losing streak, the Houston Rockets could be looking to make a major move. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Rockets have shown interest in acquiring Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. With Phoenix struggling to find consistency, Houston sees an opportunity. They are considering a blockbuster deal that could reshape both franchises.

There is no indication that the Suns are ready to part ways with either star. However, their recent struggles have fueled speculation about possible roster changes. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker remain the core of the Phoenix’s offensive.

If the team continues to underperform, the front office may have to consider major moves. For now, Houston is closely monitoring the situation. They are waiting for the right moment to make a push for Sun’s top talents.