When the final seconds ticked off the clock of the last game of the 2024-25 regular season, most agreed it was only a matter of time before the Phoenix Suns fired Mike Budenholzer. That came to fruition rather quickly, as Phoenix parted ways with the NBA champion on Monday, Apr. 14.
In the immediate aftermath of firing Budenholzer, the Suns have been left with just one option: Blow up the current core and start anew.
Budenholzer's first and only season as head coach of the Suns ended in disaster. Phoenix went 36-46, failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 2019-20 and potentially ending their working relationship with all three of its stars.
In addition to firing Budenholzer, Shams Charania of ESPN is reporting that the Suns are preparing to explore trades centered around Kevin Durant and, potentially, Bradley Beal.
"Phoenix is expected to engage in trade conversations involving Durant and will have discussions on the future of Beal, according to sources. Multiple teams will seriously pursue Durant, who finished another stellar season, and the franchise is expected to work with Durant and his business partner and Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman on the next landing spot for the future Hall of Famer."
With Devin Booker making vague comments about his own future, the Suns have no logical choice but to blow this once-promising roster up.
It's time for the Phoenix Suns to start over
Firing Budenholzer was a decision that few opposed, as it seemed as though the NBA champion never quite connected with the locker room. Unfortunately, that doesn't change the fact that the Suns have now fired head coaches after three consecutive seasons.
Between Budenholzer, Frank Vogel, and Monty Williams, the Suns couldn't figure out who the right fit was for the current core.
Trading Durant would certainly simplify the process of starting over, as the Beal and Booker duo was never the endgame for the front office. With Charania reporting that Beal's future in Phoenix is also in question, that could ultimately result in necessary changes being made.
That leaves the ball in Booker's court, however, as he must decide how much more of his prime he's willing to commit to a franchise that has a long road back to contending.
Booker still has three seasons remaining on his contract, which technically ties him to the Suns through 2027-28. The last thing Phoenix needs is a disgruntled franchise player during a transitional period, however, which is exactly what it's headed toward.
Considering Booker will turn 29 in October, it stands to reason that he won't be terribly eager to remain patient having already gotten a taste of the NBA Finals in 2021.
Whether or not Booker requests a trade, the Suns must find a way to part with both Beal and Durant. The franchise needs a fresh start, which will likely include going with a head coach who can bring something new to a team that's prioritized experience above all else—to no avail.
Impatience has cost Phoenix in recent years, but it can begin the process of rerouting its future by blowing up the roster and starting anew.