The Suns have fired coach Frank Vogel after one season, the team announced Thursday.
Phoenix’s season, which was marred by struggles with health and consistency, ended on April 28 with a first-round playoff sweep to the Minnesota Timberwolves after the Suns went 49-33 in the regular season.
“After a thoughtful review of the season, we concluded that we needed a different head coach for our team,” Suns general manager James Jones said in a statement. “We appreciate Frank’s hard work and commitment.
“We are here to win a championship and last season was way below our expectations. We will continue to evaluate our operation and make the necessary changes to reach our championship-caliber goals. We all take accountability, and it’s my job, along with (Suns CEO) Josh (Bartelstein) and ownership, to build a championship team.”
Suns owner Mat Ishbia hired Vogel last June on a five-year, $31 million deal to replace Monty Williams after Phoenix lost to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals.
Vogel’s first year with the Suns came with heightened expectations as the team entered its first full season with Kevin Durant flanked by All-Star teammates Devin Booker and newly-acquired Bradley Beal.
Before joining Phoenix, Vogel spent three years coaching the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he won a title in 2020 in his first year. He was fired in 2022 after failing to make the playoffs. He previously coached the Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers and holds a career coaching record of 480-422.
Vogel did not have much of a chance. He was a defensive-minded coach with an offensive-minded roster. In addition, the Suns lacked a traditional point guard, which put a heavy load on Booker and Beal. They also lacked a bench, something a team might survive in the regular season, but not in the playoffs.
Even so, Vogel’s biggest problem stemmed from the locker room. As frustration mounted, players lost faith in the coach. In addition, sources briefed on the matter said Durant never felt comfortable with his offensive role alongside Booker and Beal.
Beal battled injuries, missing 29 games, but he spent most of the season trying to figure out where he fit. In the final weeks of the regular season, he took over lead-guard duties and briefly sparked the Suns. But he never looked at ease. At his exit interview with the media, Beal was asked whether he thought Vogel should return for a second season.
Beal called Vogel a great coach, but he never answered the question.
The Suns have $150 million locked into Booker, Durant and Beal next season. It’s a team built around star power. Their next coach — their third in three years — will need to have a strong staff to help Phoenix improve defensively. But his biggest task will be to maximize the Big 3’s potential.
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