The Phoenix Suns coaching candidates need to be reviewed after the team was swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2024 NBA playoffs. Recently, a report claimed Kevin Durant wasn’t comfortable with the Suns’ offense. Meanwhile, the locker room situation wasn’t great, as players “rolled their eyes” when Vogel yelled after losing to the Los Angeles Clippers on April 9.
Based on that story, a new voice in the locker room might be needed if Durant, Booker, and Beal want to help bring Phoenix back to the NBA Finals after a three-year drought.
Below, we dig into the four Suns coaching candidates that make the most sense with Durant and company.
Charles Lee, Boston Celtics assistant coach
Charles Lee is regarded as one of the top NBA assistant coaches and has already gotten interest from the Charlotte Hornets during this cycle. Lee joined the Boston Celtics after leaving the Milwaukee Bucks, and despite a rough year in Charlotte, he has a chance to become a head coach.
In fact, the 39-year-old coach talked with the Suns before they hired Frank Vogel in 2023. Phoenix was described as “very interested” in Lee, so it shouldn’t be surprising that he is one of our Suns coaching candidates. Lee should be a hot ticket during the head coaching cycle, and attention from Phoenix should be expected if he doesn’t land in Charlotte.
Mike Budenholzer, former Milwaukee Bucks head coach
Mike Budenholzer was fired by the Milwaukee Bucks after losing to the No. 8 seed Miami Heat in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Budenholzer surprisingly didn’t land a job during the head coaching hunts last year and sat out the full 2023-’24 NBA season.
However, the former Bucks head coach isn’t likely to be without a head coaching gig soon. Budenholzer was a finalist for the Brooklyn Nets job before the team went for Jordi Fernandez instead. If Phoenix chooses to keep Durant, Booker, and Beal, Budenholzer would be a great option as he has championship experience.
Adrian Griffin, former Milwaukee Bucks head coach
The Bucks fired Adrian Griffin after 43 games, but he did a pretty good job with the team. Griffin’s 30-13 coaching record was good enough for second in the Eastern Conference. Yet, the 49-year-old coach sat out the rest of the season while watching Doc Rivers lead his old team.
Griffin did well in Milwaukee, and it’s fair to expect the same to happen in Phoenix. The Suns need a new face, and Griffin’s 30 wins show he can lead a team, despite what might be said within the Bucks organization. Griffin may not be a top option, but he is definitely in the running for a job this summer.
J.J. Redick, ESPN analyst
J.J. Redick is a wild card, but his basketball knowledge has been put on display by ESPN as an NBA analyst. Redick is a “serious candidate” to replace Steve Clifford in Charlotte, so this isn’t a wild, out-of-the-box idea that hasn’t been considered by other NBA teams.
In fact, the former NBA shooting guard interviewed for the Toronto Raptors head coaching job last year. The biggest question with Redick is whether he would be one of the top Suns coaching prospects since the team needs to win now. Redick has never coached in the NBA, but he has talent that could rival Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
Redick will likely land an NBA head coaching job at some point, as two teams have already shown interest since he joined ESPN. Should the Suns be one of them, or does a known head coach sound more appealing? If Phoenix lets Vogel go, the solution to that question should come quickly.
