Following a humiliating playoff defeat. - The NBA franchise dismisses its coach!
Eleven days after their embarrassing 4-0 first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Suns have made the first move. "After a careful review of the season, we've decided that our team needs a new head coach," commented General Manager James Jones.
The recently hired Frank Vogel, who won the title with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020 coronavirus bubble, couldn't deliver the same results with the Suns due to overly high expectations. He signed a five-year contract worth $31 million just last summer, following the departure of coach Monty Williams. Now, after just one season, Vogel is out of the team.
The Suns' issue is their enormous financial burden. With a team payroll of $209 million, they have the largest in the NBA. Combined with the $116 million luxury tax, their squad costs more than most other teams.
The All-Star lineup consisting of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal brings unmatched talent, but it also consumes nearly the entire salary cap. In the upcoming season, the trio is set to earn an astounding $150 million collectively. 14 teams spend less on their entire roster.
Lacking a clear starting point guard and bench depth, the team's billionaire owner Mat Ishbia faced an expensive quandary. Although many see Vogel as an innocent victim, dismissing the coach is the only way to make a change in the team.
The Suns could potentially trade Durant or Booker to improve their roster, but that's unlikely. Beal, on the other hand, has a no-trade clause in his contract, and staying put is his choice.
Most likely, the Suns' new head coach will be Mike Budenholzer, who won the title with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. Budenholzer was fired by the Bucks last May. The Los Angeles Lakers are also rumored to be interested in Bud.
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Source: symclub.org
