The Phoenix Suns are now officially unable to qualify for a competitive NBA photo after eight consecutive losses.
It was a season full of disappointment for the entire franchise. The star power of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beale wasn’t enough to save the Phoenix Suns from a miserable year.
Amidst trade speculation, locker room tension and injury struggle, the Suns were undoubtedly the most disappointing team in the NBA.
A 125-112 home loss in the league-best league with the Oklahoma City Thunder officially ruled out the team to reach the 2025 play-in tournament.
With this upset season finish, he has only been in his role for just a year, and there is growing uncertainty for manager Mike Budenholzer.
Budenholzer, who was hired by the franchise since last summer on a reported five-year deal, failed with his main purpose of leading the Suns to the title, not to mention the appearance of the 2024-25 postseason.
Speaking shortly after his melancholy loss to OKC, Budenholzer was honest when asked if he had had a conversation with Sands Gov. Matt Ishvia about his still returning to the team.
“No,” he said. “Like I said, it’s raw. We just lost. It was a tough season.
“We didn’t have a conversation, so we’ll handle this and see how we can improve.”
Notoriously, the Suns hired Frank Vogel as team coach in a five-year, $31 million deal in the summer of 2023.
However, after leading the Suns to a 49-33 record while being eventually swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, the franchise brass decided to fire him and appointed Budenholzer as their replacement.
This time we can wait for the Sands to act towards Budenholzer. The whole team definitely needs a massive improvement from top to bottom.
Whatever they are trying to unfold, the Suns can’t get away with it with the same roster and coaching staff. Something needs to be changed.