The Phoenix Suns are hoping that a roster featuring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal and 2020 NBA Finals winning coach Frank Vogel will be ready for a playoff berth. We are heading into the 2023-24 NBA season.
However, Phoenix lost in a four-game sweep in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Less than two weeks after his early postseason departure, the Suns decided to fire Vogel after just one season.
Suns general manager James Jones said in a statement: “As I stated in a May 1 press conference, team leadership, including myself, Josh Bartelstein, and the owner, have reviewed our entire basketball operation and are making decisions regarding “We will determine whether changes are necessary.”
“After carefully reviewing the season, we have come to the conclusion that our team needs another head coach. We are grateful for Frank’s hard work and dedication.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel during a game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on April 10, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
ESPN reported that Mike Budenholzer, who led the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 NBA title, could be one of the top candidates to replace Vogel. The Bucks fired Budenholzer in May 2023 after the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. He did not coach this season.
Suns GM believes Phoenix will be the ‘first team’ to ‘maximize’ Kevin Durant’s talent
The Suns finished this season with a record of 49 wins and 33 losses, entering the postseason as the No. 6 seed.
Vogel signed a five-year contract with the Suns in June. He was hired after Phoenix lost to the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals and the franchise parted ways with Monty Williams.
Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel applauds his players during the first half of Game 4 of the first round of their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 28, 2024 in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
When the Suns were still in the playoffs, Vogel said he was “very” confident he would be around for the 2024-25 season and had the “full support” of team owner Matt Ishbia.
Vogel previously served as head coach of the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel speaks to the media after a playoff game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis on April 23, 2024. (Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Suns’ next coach will likely work closely with Jones and other members of the front office to find a way to turn the team’s high payroll into a championship contender. The Suns brought in $209 million in the offseason, making him the league’s highest annual salary.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The organization may move some key players this offseason to reduce salaries and luxury taxes.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcastplease subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
