The Phoenix Suns have decided to fire Mike Budenholzer and are now looking for a new head coach to replace him. With the 2024-25 NBA regular season at an end, there’s no denying the Suns have been one of the biggest disappointments this year.
Despite having Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal on the roster, the Suns failed to qualify for the upcoming playoffs. While it’s tough to say exactly what went wrong, the front office clearly believed a coaching change would benefit the team.
Since the Suns decided to move on from Budenholzer, some assumed they already had a replacement lined up. However, no such report has surfaced, and Phoenix’s next coach has yet to be decided. With that in mind, here’s a look at five potential candidates for the job.
Phoenix Suns Have Fired 3 Coaches in 3 Seasons
It might be time for the Suns to consider that the issue may not be coaching. Phoenix let go of Monty Williams in 2023, even though he helped lead the team to the NBA Finals in 2021.
The Suns then hired Frank Vogel but let him go in less than a season, replacing him with Budenholzer. While it’s unclear who Phoenix will hire to replace Budenholzer, here are some names the team might consider.
Willie Green
Willie Green is currently the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. Although the team recently fired its general manager, Green still holds his position despite the Pelicans’ underwhelming season.
Chauncey Billups, obviously, is going nowhere now after a contract extension in Portland.
Yet links between Willie Green and the Suns have been circulating, league sources say, because of Green's relationships with Mat Ishbia and Devin Booker.
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Reports say Green is among the names being considered to replace Budenholzer. While still under contract with New Orleans, he reportedly has a strong relationship with Devin Booker and Suns owner Mat Ishbia.
Taylor Jenkins
Although Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies started the season well, the team fired head coach Taylor Jenkins with just a few games left in the regular season. While the reasons haven’t been confirmed, reports suggest that player motivation and poor performance after the All-Star break were major factors.
Many analysts believe the Grizzlies’ roster should bear more responsibility than Jenkins, making him a potential candidate the Suns may pursue.
Michael Malone
Like Jenkins, Michael Malone was recently let go just ahead of the NBA playoffs. It’s been less than two seasons since Malone led the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA title, but a drop-off in performance led to the team moving on.
While it’s not clear why things ended with the Nuggets, Malone is undoubtedly a proven coach and recent champion. That could make him a strong fit for a Suns team still chasing its first title.
Nick Nurse
Nick Nurse is in an interesting spot. He’s currently the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. And although he won a title with the Toronto Raptors and is seen as one of the league’s best coaches, his lack of success with the Sixers this season might open the door for a move.
If Nurse is open to a change, Phoenix would likely welcome him. But like Green, any talks would need to navigate his current contract.
Mike Brown
Another name linked to the Suns’ vacancy is Mike Brown. Brown has coached several teams ever since entering as an assistant for the Washington Wizards in 1997. Most recently, he was the head coach of the Sacramento Kings but was let go shortly after the 2024-25 season began.
Lastly, there’s always the chance the Suns could bring back Williams, who is currently out of the NBA after his stint with the Detroit Pistons. With a long offseason ahead for Phoenix, fans are left wondering who will lead the team next.