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The Phoenix Suns have fired head coach Frank Vogel, 11 days after the team was eliminated from the first round of the postseason by the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team announced Thursday.
Former Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer is expected to be a leading candidate to replace Vogel, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
“As we said in the May 1 press conference, team leadership, including myself, Josh Bartelstein, and ownership would examine basketball operations to determine what changes needed to be made,” Suns general manager James said. Jones, in a statement. “After a careful review of the season, we came to the conclusion that we needed a different head coach for our team. We appreciate Frank’s hard work and commitment.”
The Suns underperformed in Vogel’s only season at the helm, especially considering the caliber of talent from stars Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. The latter two were acquisitions after owner Mat Ishbia took over the team in February 2023.
Vogel, who was 49-33 in Phoenix, signed a five-year, $31 million contract in June 2023. He succeeded Monty Williams, who was fired after the team’s Western Conference semifinal loss to the Denver Nuggets. Following a 122-116 Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves on April 28, the Suns have lost six straight playoff games, the longest playoff losing streak in franchise history.
Before being swept, Vogel said he was “very” confident he would return next season and that he had “full support” from Ishbia.
This was Vogel’s fourth time as a head coach, after stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers. He has a career record of 479-422.
Before winning a title in Los Angeles, Vogel led the Pacers to the Eastern Conference semifinals twice. Vogel had the NBA’s top-rated defense three times in his career: twice with Indiana and once with the Lakers, according to data from ESPN Stats & Information.
The Suns enter the offseason with a salary of $209 million, the largest payroll of any NBA team, and face a projected luxury tax fine of $116 million.
The Suns will also be above the so-called second apron of the luxury tax for at least the next three years if they keep their core together. That position would have punitive consequences, limiting its ability to increase its workforce.
