The Phoenix Suns may be in the market for a new head coach following the 2023-2024 NBA season. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that there is a belief around the league that Frank Vogel’s job may be in jeopardy as his team faces elimination in the first round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Suns’ owner, Mat Ishbia, has shown a willingness to make rapid changes and may not hesitate to move on from Vogel if needed, despite his five-year, $31 million deal. Vogel was hired last offseason after the team fired former head coach Monty Williams, who had led the Suns to a finals appearance and three consecutive playoff appearances.
The Suns came into the 2023-2024 season as favorites to win the NBA title, with a team built around superstars Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. However, injuries and a lack of cohesion on the court led to a disappointing 49-33 record, earning them the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Vogel’s future with the team is uncertain as they face a 0-3 deficit against the T-Wolves in the playoffs. If the Suns are eliminated, Vogel may coach his final game for the team. The games against the Wolves have not been close, with the Suns losing by an average margin of 18 points.
Vogel, a 50-year-old coach, won an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and led the Indiana Pacers to success in the early 2010s. If reports of his potential departure are accurate, the Suns will be searching for their seventh head coach in the span of eight years. The team’s performance in the playoffs and the abrupt nature of a potential elimination could spell the end of Vogel’s tenure with the Suns. The owner, Ishbia, has made rapid changes in his short ownership tenure and may not hesitate to make another coaching change if he believes it is necessary.
The former Suns ownership had signed Monty Williams to a multi-year deal before the 2022-2023 season, but Ishbia did not hesitate to start fresh with Vogel. Despite Williams’ success in leading the team to the finals and multiple playoff appearances, Ishbia’s focus is on the present and the expectations for the team to perform at a high level. Vogel’s future with the Suns remains uncertain as the team faces potential elimination from the playoffs. The Suns will need to regroup and assess their coaching situation if Vogel is let go following the conclusion of the season. Finding the right coach to guide a team with talented superstars will be crucial for the Suns moving forward.
The Suns have seen some contributions from players like Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic, but overall, the team has struggled to find cohesion on the court. The expectations were high for the Suns coming into the season, but injuries and inconsistent play have hindered their success. If Vogel’s job is indeed in jeopardy following a potential playoff exit, the Suns will be looking for a new head coach to lead the team. The rapid changes in coaching staff over the past few years have not translated to sustained success for the team, and finding the right fit will be crucial for the Suns to move forward and compete at a high level in the NBA.
