The message to Beal was reportedly not “well received.”
Mike Budenholzer reportedly had difficulties communicating with Bradley Beal. In a recent episode of Haynes Briefs, NBA Insider Chris Haynes said that Budenholzer asked the three-time all-star to be the “Jrue Holiday” of the Phoenix Suns roster, but the message to Beal “wasn’t well received.”
Holiday, a multi-time all-star, two-time NBA Champion, and two-time Gold Medal Olympian, has been one of the best defenders since entering the league. He’s earned six all-defense selections, including three first-team selections. Budenholzer coached Holiday to his first championship after the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Finals.
Holiday’s talent and resume is well respected, but Beal, a dominant scorer and a playmaker, did not like the message.
On the Haynes Briefs Show, inside the Phoenix Suns’ turmoil and incidents that led to Mike Budenholzer losing the team and ultimately his job. Also a list of coaching candidates Suns are expected to look at. Subscribe. #haynesbriefs
Full EP: https://t.co/yDUTC9FDQt pic.twitter.com/Ryzz7OlDKT
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 14, 2025
While many people have been reporting the Suns’ frustration with Budenholzer since Budenholzer was fired yesterday, after seeing Haynes’s report, members of Suns media came out and criticized Beal for his alleged response to the coach’s request.
If Bradley Beal could’ve turned into Jrue Holiday… it maybe could’ve worked.
But that’s not a Coach Bud issue… that’s an issue with those who made the trade. https://t.co/WAIEgIGFaG
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) April 14, 2025
According to @ChrisBHaynes, Bradley Beal was offended when Mike Budenholzer asked him to be the Suns’ version of Jrue Holiday – sorry, but this anecdote is the sign of a soft player and not a terrible head coach. https://t.co/6Vkf8LJnNM
— Dan Bickley (@danbickley) April 14, 2025
Gambo added that Beal responded to Budenholzer’s feedback stating, “Don’t ever disrespect me like that. Don’t ever tell me to play like another player.”
I know about this story it is true – Beal told Bud “Don’t ever disrespect me like that. Don’t ever tell me to play like another player” https://t.co/YRCHwhEEbn
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) April 15, 2025
The criticism Beal is receiving continues a wave of harsh analysis on the shooting guard. He has expressed his happiness in Phoenix with his no-trade clause despite an underwhelming tenure he and the Suns have had since he was traded to the team in 2023. According to Arizona Sports insider John Gambadoro, there is a “zero percent chance ” he’ll be on the roster next season.
@Gambo987: “There’s a zero percent chance that Bradley Beal is back on this Suns team next year.”
Watch the full conversation here: https://t.co/10IwVbrhPJ pic.twitter.com/AwtysiZ8TO
— The Burns & Gambo Show (@BurnsAndGambo) April 10, 2025
Here’s the rest of Haynes reporting on the Suns firing Budenholzer from yesterday:
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