The Phoenix Suns have decided to fire head coach Frank Vogel after just one season in response to being swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, league sources confirmed to ClutchPoints on Thursday. Shams Charania of The Athletic was the first to break the news.
Vogel, who the Suns hired last June, was new owner Mat Ishbia's pick to lead the Suns and their All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Unfortunately, injuries played a major part in the Suns' demise this season. As a result of constant lineup changes, Phoenix limped into the postseason as the 6-seed in the Western Conference, struggling to find consistent play from their core each and every night.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Suns lost all four games played against the Timberwolves by an average of 15.0 points per game. After averaging 116.2 points per game during the regular season, the 10th-best average in the league, the Suns averaged just 103.3 points per game against Minnesota in the postseason. Their failure to make adjustments both during and after games was a major concern for the Suns.
Questions about Vogel's leadership had grown louder heading towards the end of the season, especially after he reportedly sounded off on the team during their loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on April 9. Vogel was yelling so loudly that his voice could be heard outside of the locker room, but some Suns players believed this outburst to be forced and unnecessary, according to The Athletic. The disconnect and lack of respect from the player's perspective for their coaching staff continued to grow larger heading into the postseason.
A roster highlighted by three All-Stars in Durant, Beal, and Booker was not supposed to lose in the first round of the playoffs, yet alone get swept by a young, inexperienced team when it comes to fighting in the postseason.
While many factors played into their demise this season, Vogel was the head coach of a team that underperformed the championship aspirations that were placed on their shoulders. As a result, he is the scapegoat in this situation since the Suns truly don't have any other moves to make.
What Suns' decision to fire Frank Vogel means
As they enter the offseason, the Suns are pressed for what they can do to try and improve their immediate championship outlook. Durant, Booker, and Beal are under contract for over $150 million next season. Attempting to move any of the three stars would be tough to do financially, and Phoenix can't hit the “reset button” due to trading away all of their first-round picks.
There needed to be some sort of change, hence why the decision to fire Vogel amid all of the internal disconnect was made.
Now, the Suns embark on yet another coaching search, one that could very well make or break their decision to go “all-in” with Durant, Booker, and Beal as the backbone of their franchise. Regardless of who the Suns potentially hire, this organization will be pressed for time.
After being swept in the first round of the playoffs, the Suns championship window has shrunk immensely. Once thought to be the team to beat in the Western Conference entering the 2023-24 season, the Suns are now forced to make improvements and adjustments with no cap space, no draft picks, and no stability.
Vogel, a former championship-winning coach, was not given the opportunity to turn things around with the Suns. It is hard to imagine that there will be a lot of interest among current coaches around the NBA in wanting this job.
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