NBA

Suns’ Mike Budenholzer Fired After One Season: How Much Money Is Left On His Contract?

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By
Dan Girolamo
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Dan Girolamo Sports Editor

Dan is a multifaceted content creator who specializes in sports, pop culture, and entertainment. His entertainment work has been featured on Digital Trends, where he has interviewed Brendan Fraser, Jamie Lee Curtis, Alison Brie, Adam DeVine, Sadie Sink, Chris O'Dowd, Machine Gun Kelly, and Frank Grillo. Dan's entertainment work has also been featured on Coming Soon, Hidden Remote, and WatchMojo. Dan's other passion in life revolves around sports, graduating from Marist College with a degree in Sports Communication and Journalism. From columns about the latest in New York sports to gambling predictions, Dan continues to find success in written and broadcast journalism. Previous written work can be found at Unafraid Show, while broadcast clips can be seen on WAVE.tv and CBS Sports.

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Published14 Apr 2025

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Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer puts his hands over his head.

The Phoenix Suns have fired Mike Budenholzer after one season, the team announced Monday. How much money is left on Budenholzer’s contract?

How Much Money Did The Suns Pay To Fire Mike Budenholzer?

“Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season,” the team said in a statement. “Our fans deserve better. Change is needed.”

One word comes to mind when describing the 2024-2025 Phoenix Suns: disaster.

The Suns hired Budenholzer to a five-year, $50 million contract last offseason.

If Budenholzer never coaches again in the NBA, the Suns will have to pay him $10 million per year for the next four years.

Expectations were high when the Suns hired the former NBA champion-winning coach with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Suns got off to a fast start, beginning the season with an 8-1 record. However, Phoenix cratered down the stretch, losing nine of their last 10 games to finish 36-46 and miss the postseason entirely.

The Suns’ “Big Three” of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal could never get in sync. Injuries to Durant and Beal played a major factor in the team’s downfall.

The Suns were 3-17 without Durant (33-29 with him in the lineup).

When the Suns tried to acquire Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline, Beal’s no-trade clause and Durant’s unwillingness to go to Golden State destroyed their chances of making a move.

Where Do The Suns Go From Here?

The Suns now need to hire their fourth head coach since 2023.

The Suns fired Monty Williams, Frank Vogel, and Budenholzer in three consecutive seasons.

Now, Suns owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and general manager James Jones must rebuild this roster, starting with a new head coach.

Since buying the team in February 2023, it’s been one wrong move after another for Ishbia.

With the Suns over the luxury tax, Phoenix will try to retool the roster this offseason.

The first move could be moving Durant. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Suns will engage in trade conversations involving Durant and discuss Beal’s future.

Ishbia will work with Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, to find a new landing spot for the versatile forward.