Bud is out. Who will replace him? Let’s dive into some of the top candidates.
The Phoenix Suns will bring in their third coach in as many seasons after letting go of head coach Mike Budenholzer Monday morning.
He led the Suns to a 36-46 record in a massively disappointing season. This officially begins the search for the 23rd head coach in franchise history.
According to Gambo, two names you can cross off the list are Taylor Jenkins and Mike Malone. I am personally totally fine with this. No more retreads. They need someone fresh, young, relatable, and hungry to build their reputation.
No I do NOT expect the Suns to consider Mike Malone or Taylor Jenkins to be their next coach for those that are asking.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) April 14, 2025
Another nugget I saw worth mentioning before jumping in is that Chauncey Billups was one of Phoenix’s top targets. He has since signed an extension with Portland, which takes him off the table in the Suns’ search.
FWIW, I’d heard a lot of chatter in the last few weeks that Chauncey Billups was going to be the Suns’ top target in their coaching search. Could have been part of the Blazers’ motivation to get something done before the end of the season.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) April 14, 2025
1. Willie Green
Current Role: Head Coach — New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans fired David Griffin, leaving Green’s job security in the air depending on what Griffin’s replacement does.
Green was the Suns’ top assistant during their NBA Finals run in 2021, and he has a great relationship with Devin Booker and, reportedly, Mat Ishbia.
He took the Pelicans job after the 2021 season and has compiled a 148-180 record in four seasons with New Orleans, including two playoff appearances.
Chauncey Billups, obviously, is going nowhere now after a contract extension in Portland.
Yet links between Willie Green and the Suns have been circulating, league sources say, because of Green’s relationships with Mat Ishbia and Devin Booker.
More NBA: https://t.co/3dNEEu2e4M https://t.co/YENxv35WFH
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 14, 2025
2. Jared Dudley
Current Role: Assistant Coach — Dallas Mavericks
Jared Dudley is a former Sun and fan favorite during his multiple stints in Phoenix. He has also been an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks for the past four seasons.
There has been some buzz around him gaining steam as a head coaching candidate the past 12 months or so. He has made it clear that becoming a head coach is his ultimate goal, as he shared last summer.
He was the Mavs’ Summer League head coach this past summer as well. While he doesn’t have the direct experience Green does, he has been in the league for nearly the past 20 years, including his 14-year playing career.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
3. Chris Quinn
Current Role: Assistant Coach — Miami Heat
Quinn has been one of the most talked about assistants ready to make the leap to head coach in the association for some time now. He is an Erik Spoelstra disciple and has been with the Miami organization since 2014.
Quinn had a 4-year career at Notre Dame and an eight-year professional career from 2006 to 2013, playing for four NBA teams, one G league team, and overseas in Spain and Russia.
The players love him. Miami’s culture has been said to be built in large part by Quinn. He has been an acting coach when Spoelstra missed three games, leading the Heat to a 2-1 record.
Jimmy Butler had this to say about Quinn after he drew up a game-winning play for the Heat: “That’s what happens when you got a guy from Notre Dame that’s smart,” Butler said. ”He’s going to be a head coach one day very, very soon.”
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
4. Sam Cassell
Current Role: Assistant Coach — Boston Celtics
Cassell has certainly served his time as an assistant coach around the league, earning his stripes. He has spent 16 years as an assistant head coach with the Wizards, Clippers, 76ers, and most recently, the Celtics.
He’s been in the league for 33 years now, and being a former player, he brings the reliability factor despite not being on the younger side. I’ve heard nothing but positive things about him in the basketball community.
Sam Cassell’s message to the Celtics in the locker room postgame tonight:
“Let’s do something special again.”pic.twitter.com/qWxcxRdXgE
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) April 12, 2025
There is certainly some history with Cassell and the Suns, though that’s long been buried. Cassell lasted two months in Phoenix before being dealt with Michael Finley for Jason Kidd in 1996.
It would be a full circle moment for him to return to the Valley after interviewing several times for head coaching roles to fall short. He is certainly deserving of taking that next step.
5. Royal Ivey
Current Role: Assistant Coach — Houston Rockets
Ivey gained a lot of fans after leading South Sudan on an impressive Olympic basketball run. He has been an assistant coach for nine seasons now with the Thunder, Knicks, Nets, and most recently, the Rockets.
Ivey was selected to serve as the head coach for the 2024 South Sudan Olympic Men’s Basketball team after leading them to a 101-78 victory over Angola in September 2023 at the World Cup in the Philippines to help South Sudan claim the automatic qualifying spot from Africa in the Paris Olympics.
The 10-year NBA veteran did an outstanding job with the “underdog” team, putting them on the map in the basketball world after taking Team USA to the wire. He is young, hungry, and has a passion that shines through to help change a culture.
If not in Phoenix, he’ll be a head coach somewhere else in the next year or two.
John David Mercer-Imagn Images
Who would you like to see the Suns target? Let us know in the comments below.
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