The Phoenix Suns have made a significant move in their coaching staff by naming Mike Budenholzer as their new head coach, as reported by Shams Charania of the Athletic. Budenholzer, who previously coached the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks, brings a wealth of experience to the Suns organization, having won a championship with the Bucks in the 2020-21 season.
However, the Bucks let Budenholzer go after a disappointing first-round exit in the 2022-23 season, where they were upset by the Miami Heat. Despite this, Budenholzer reportedly agreed to a lucrative five-year deal worth $50+ million with the Suns.
Lead assistant coach David Fizdale is expected to transition to a new front office role for the Suns, as Budenholzer takes over the coaching duties. This coaching change marks the third head coach hired by the Suns in just three years under owner Mat Ishbia.
Budenholzer will be inheriting a Suns team loaded with star players such as Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant. However, his coaching style may need some adjustment, as the Suns were one of the most mid-range heavy shooting teams in the NBA last season.
The Suns are clearly looking for immediate success by bringing in Budenholzer, who has a proven track record as a championship-winning coach. It will be interesting to see how Budenholzer implements his coaching strategies with the Suns and whether he can lead the team to further success in the upcoming seasons. Stay tuned to KP Insider for more updates on this developing story.
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