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The Phoenix Suns have made a significant decision by firing head coach Frank Vogel following their first-round playoff series sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Suns are eyeing former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer as the leading candidate to take over from Vogel.
General manager James Jones expressed, “After a thoughtful review of the season, we concluded that we needed a different head coach for our team. We appreciate Frank’s hard work and commitment.”
The Suns struggled under Vogel’s leadership, finishing the season with a 49-33 record and sixth place in the Western Conference.
Replacing Monty Williams, Vogel faced challenges that led to his dismissal, including a six-game losing streak in the playoffs—the longest in franchise history.
Phoenix Suns make a coaching change with Frank Vogel’s departure
Vogel has had a successful coaching career, boasting top-rated defenses with multiple teams. His tenure with the Suns comes to an end with a career coaching record of 480-422 in the regular season and 49-43 in the playoffs.
Despite acquiring star players like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Suns failed to meet expectations under Vogel’s guidance.
Suns officially fire Frank Vogel.
Statement from James Jones: pic.twitter.com/C9HHRefA94
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) May 9, 2024
The Suns made significant moves in acquiring Durant, but it came at a steep cost, depleting future draft picks and leaving them with considerable roster payroll for the upcoming seasons.
The team will be heavily reliant on minimum contracts to fill out the roster due to salary restraints and luxury tax penalties.
As they navigate the challenges of a high payroll, the Suns will need to strategize and make smart financial decisions to remain competitive in the league.
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