After they emerged from the playoffs after the playoffs, the Phoenix front office announced a “need”. While searching for a new coach is now on, let’s take a look at how much left in the Suns’ five-year Mike Budenholtzer contract and the money they will be forced to pay after cutting the contacts.
Phoenix Suns Fire Coach Mike Budenholzer
After a win from their last 10 regular season games, the Phoenix Suns fell to 11th place in the Western Conference and playoffs.
Starting from the end of March until April, the Suns made double-digit profits in eight consecutive games. In the history of franchise, the most continuous losses were up to 10 points.
This marks the first time in five years that Phoenix has not played in the playoffs, and given the team’s biggest salary in league history, the team is now changing coaches for the third straight season.
“Our goal remains our goal at the highest level and we have failed to meet expectations this season. Our fans deserve better. Change is needed,” the Suns said in a statement.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia (now owns two years of ownership) has flooded the franchise with the necessary capital and personnel to form a successful playoff-level team. However, as the current setup fails to produce results, new coaches will be making shoes before the start of next season, and a lineup change is expected to happen, with Devin Booker putting it at the center of the new look team.
He is likely to leave in the offseason after already holding trade talks for Kevin Durant in February, and discussions are expected to be discussed at Bradley Beal's future in Phoenix.
Booker’s importance cannot be underestimated, and reports suggest that Budenholtzer was unable to connect with the four-time All-Star to the rest of the locker room, so the roster relationship collapsed.
Mike Budenholzer contract
In 2021, NBA-winning coach Mike Budenholzer signed a five-year, $50 million contract last year and tied up promise and true blood as a two-time coach of the year.
But the day after the regular season ended and ended the Under 0.500 season since 2019-20, Budenholzer was squeezed out and another change was made on the Suns.
How many suns will Mike Budenholzer launch?
Just when it seems like an offseason, with the focus on trimming a swollen payroll, firing Mike Budenholzer could be expensive for the Suns.
In just one year of his five-year contract, Phoenix still owes him $10 million a year, until 2029, a total of $40 million.
That is, as long as this period, Budenholzer does not work in another coaching job.
It is also worth noting that the Suns are still offering a range of other fired coaches. It is worth noting that Monty Williams owed $24 million in contracts with Frank Vogel in 2023 after structuring a $20 million acquisition.
Overall, the Suns paid more than $80 million to three coaches who were no longer employed.
