Giannis Antetokounmpo thinks Suns head coach deserved a tribue video
Milwaukee Bucks big man Giannis Antetokounmpo thought Mike Budenholzer deserved a tribute video when he returned to Milwaukee on Tuesday.
Courtesy of Milwaukee Bucks
The Sacramento Kings have decided on a head coach in reportedly removing the interim tag from Doug Christie after hiring Scott Perry as their new general manager.
That leaves the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies as the only two teams who, as of May 1, need to decide on their next head coach. The Suns don’t appear to be in a rush as sources informed The Arizona Republic it’s a slow process right now.
Seven teams changed head coaches entering the 2024-25 season from how they started the previous season, with Phoenix being one of them. There aren’t as many openings right now, but that could change as the playoffs continue.
The Grizzlies fired Taylor Jenkins late in the 2024-25 season and made assistant Tuomas Iisalo the interim head coach. The Suns let go of Mike Budenholzer the day after Phoenix’s season ended April 13 at Sacramento.
The Suns missed the playoffs and finished 36-46 to mark their first losing season since 2019-20, which was the last time they failed to make the postseason.
The Grizzlies made their way through the play-in to land the eighth seed in the West, but the Oklahoma City Thunder, the top overall seed in the playoffs, swept them.
The Thunder blasted Memphis by 51 points in Game 1 and took Game 2 by 19, but the Grizzlies played much better in Games 3 and 4. If they hadn’t lost Ja Morant in Game 3 to injury, the Grizzlies likely would have won Game 3 after leading by 29 points.
Memphis took OKC down to the wire in Game 4’s 117-115 loss, showing a strong response under Iisalo after that embarrassing Game 1 loss.
The Denver Nuggets fired Michael Malone late in the regular season as well and continued with David Adelman as their interim head coach.
The fourth-seeded Nuggets have a 3-2 series lead over the Los Angeles Clippers. Game 6 is May 1. Winning this series would help Adelman’s case to remain head coach in Denver.
The Suns have mapped out an offseason playbook that has them addressing their front office before hiring their third head coach in three years under team owner Mat Ishbia. They announced May 1 the promotion of vice president Brian Gregory to general manager that shifts James Jones to senior advisor.
Looking at the Suns, Nuggets and Grizzlies, Denver has the most attractive roster, starting with three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
The Grizzlies are led by a young, talented trio in Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Morant. The Suns have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but will look to make some changes in the offseason.
The Suns explored trade options with Durant before the 2025 trade deadline and expected to do the same this summer.
They’re over the second tax apron, a position that limits their roster flexibility.
However, if Memphis and Denver retain their interim head coaches, the Suns won’t have to compete with those two teams for a new head coach.
The San Antonio Spurs are in a unique situation with their head coaching position.
Gregg Popovich missed most of the season after suffering a stroke Nov. 2. The Hall of Fame coach is the NBA’s all-time leader in wins and coached the Spurs to five NBA championships, but is 76 years old and has been battling health issues.
Mitch Johnson served as interim head coach for the Spurs, who ended the season 34-48 and missed the playoffs.
Popovich has earned the right to leave the game on his own terms. Signing a five-year, $80-million extension in July 2023, Popovich is under contract through the 2027-28 season.
The Spurs have a centerpiece in 7-footer Victor Wembanyama. Stephon Castle just won this year’s NBA Rookie of the Year. If Popovich is healthy and able to coach next season, the Spurs could be a surprise team.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets and Suns hired new head coaches going into the 2024-25 season, while the Washington Wizards removed the interim tag from Brian Keefe, who replaced Wes Unseld Jr. during the 2023-24 season.
The Cavs, Pistons and Lakers each made the 2025 playoffs.
Cleveland posted the NBA’s second-best record at 64-18 under Kenny Atkinson and advanced to the second round after sweeping the Miami Heat, winning Game 4 by a historic 55 points.
Detroit returned to the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 season under J.B. Bickerstaff, who Cleveland fired and replaced with Atkinson.
Bickerstaff and Atkinson are finalists for NBA Coach of the Year, along with Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka.
The Pistons won 44 games in the regular season. They’re looking to force Game 7 as they face the New York Knicks in Game 6 at home Thursday, May 1.
The Lakers posted a 50-win season under JJ Redick, who had no previous head coaching experience on any level, in earning a third seed in the West.
The Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Lakers in five games as they closed the series with a 103-96 win April 30 in Los Angeles.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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