Just how much was Mike Budenholzer able to earn with the Phoenix Suns? Reports that the head coach had been removed from his position with the Suns set the basketball world off on Monday, April 14. However, this decision by the Suns cannot be considered totally out of character. After all, the team has let go of multiple coaches over the past few seasons.
As the Suns continue their search for a new head coach, it is important to understand why the team decided to fire Budenholzer and what they will have to pay him going forward.
Mike Budenholzer Will Be Paid for the Next 4 Years by the Suns
As things stand, the Suns’ greatest issue is being well beyond the luxury tax after having a vastly overpaid roster. While coaches’ contracts do not contribute to the salary cap, the $50 million contract that Budenholzer signed with the franchise at the start of the season does not ease any payroll stress.
Since coaching contracts are similar to normal player contracts, Budenholzer has to be paid the remainder of his contract by the Suns unless they agree to a buyout or he signs a new contract with another team.
So far, the Suns have paid Budenholzer $10 million. However, he is owed another $40 million and will be paid that amount even though the Suns terminated him from his position.
If Mike Budenholzer decides to not pursue any coaching opportunities, he will be paid $10 million a year from the Suns until 2029.
$40 million still remain on Budenholzer’s contract. pic.twitter.com/A0EvlDR62m
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) April 14, 2025
At the very least, this relieves Budenholzer’s pressure to find a new job. Even if he is unable to find an active coaching position, the Suns will still pay him several million dollars over the next half-decade.
Budenholzer won an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. However, the team decided to go in another direction and is currently coached by Doc Rivers.
Given that several teams have already fired their coaches even before the season ended, such as the Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets, it is safe to say that Budenholzer will find a new job before the 2025-2026 NBA season begins.
The Suns appear to be in a complete state of confusion. The franchise is expected to trade away Kevin Durant and even other assets since they have clearly not been able to accomplish much since acquiring him from the Brooklyn Nets.
Any coach will undoubtedly need to know Durant’s presence on the roster before deciding if they want to coach the Suns. Therefore, the team may move Durant or at least finalize a decision on him before looking to bring in new coaching management.