Mike Budenholzer was fired by the Suns after a season that was far from decent. The team’s year was a disaster by any measure, ending in a 36-46 record, an 11th-place finish in the Western Conference, and a missed playoff berth for the first time since 2019-20. But if you thought that was the sole reason for his firing, you’d be utterly wrong. He was for less than one year on the job and the number of stories he racked up? Well, fair to say that it would have been better had they been wins.

Telling Devin Booker to “tone it down,” benching Ryan Dunn for over a month for no reason, and telling Bradley Beal to play like Jrue Holiday. If these were not enough, he did it again by grounding a fan-favorite and not for lack of talent.  Bol Bol, the 7’3” unicorn with a cult following and Shaq’s stamp of approval, was told to warm the bench permanently. And the reason? Not a shooting slump. Not a defensive lapse. But something else entirely, and I quote, something “human”.

RTNBA took to Twitter and dropped the scoop that had Suns fans buzzing! Bol Bol was benched for the rest of the season after Coach Mike Budenholzer grew furious with him for not stepping in during a March 12 scuffle between Steven Adams and Mason Plumlee. While teammates rushed in to pull bodies apart, Bol was spotted in the background casually shooting layups. In the attached video, insider Chris Haynes revealed, “League sources told me Coach Budenholzer was irate when he saw that Bo did not run to the defense of his teammate.” Haynes added that Bol, after finally cracking the rotation on February 7, was out for good just over a month later. And it stings even more when you hear the numbers: 12.5 points, 54% from the field, 38% from three, and 4.7 rebounds in 20 minutes per game during February. Hence, this decision, coupled with reported tensions with Booker, became the final nail in Budenholzer’s coffin.

What makes this saga even wilder is how loved Bol Bol is! Not just by Suns fans, but by legends of the game. Shaquille O’Neal has been one of his loudest supporters, regularly hyping up the unicorn for his skill set and untapped ceiling. That love was on full display during Phoenix’s Fan Appreciation Night. The Suns were blowing out the Spurs, the energy was pure vibes, and the crowd had one clear request: “We want Bol Bol!” The chants echoed through the arena like a movement, fans rallying behind their cult hero. And yet, Bol never touched the hardwood. Instead, he sat locked on the bench. Stoic, professional, and visibly disappointed, as reported by the Arizona Republic’s Greg Moore. It wasn’t just a snub. It felt personal.

Sure, it can sting a bit, thinking that probably no unity exists in the team. However, many think Budenholzer had no right to punish someone else when he had not worked on this glaring aspect himself. As noted by ClutchPoints, “but ultimately, that is the culture that Phoenix built. This team did not have each other’s backs all season long. The level of “care” was nonexistent. We’ve seen teams in recent years with the care factor. This team certainly did not have that quality.” Bol’s decision not to step in is being seen by many as a mature decision. However, many also argue that while not stepping in is one thing, casually engaging in other activities behind the scenes is bound to damage the locker room more. Yet, yet, all agree that the coach went just too far.

And many might say that, well, while Bol Bol was good offensively, maybe his defensive approach further ‘irked’ the coach. Okay, Bol Bol might not be the best there, but he was better than most. And to bench him when you have struggled to adapt your coaching philosophy to a roster built around offensive firepower rather than defensive grit? That might sound like blame-shifting. After all, Budenholzer is sort of known for constructing serviceable defenses with limited talent. And the roster he inherited with “no rim protection and no point-of-attack defense,” never improved much during the season. So, his decision to bench Bol, whose length at least disrupted opponents on the perimeter, was particularly puzzling. As Valley of the Suns argued, “He was still picked on defensively—but when you finish 27th in defensive efficiency on the season—Bol wasn’t the problem”.

Now, after three coaching changes in three seasons, the team is left with one option.

Suns Double Down on Devin Booker Amid Trade Noise

Just as the Bol Bol saga left fans questioning some of Coach Bud’s choices, Suns owner Mat Ishbia stepped in to offer some much-needed clarity. But this time, on Devin Booker. With trade buzz swirling after another underwhelming season, Ishbia didn’t mince words. He made it clear: Book’s not going anywhere. The franchise’s goals and their superstar’S ambitions still align, both chasing that elusive ring in the Valley. Ishbia shut the door on any major shakeups involving their #1 option, saying, “Our goals are the same.”

And when you look at the numbers, it’s easy to see why. Booker averaged 25+ points for seven straight seasons, hit a career-high 7.1 assists per game this year, and still has three years left on his deal. Phoenix might be lacking draft capital, but they’re not lacking belief in Book. Ishbia’s all-in, and for now, that means building around their franchise player instead of tearing it all down. While uncertainty surrounds others on the roster, Devin Booker’s future in the desert looks locked in.

“We got to match his energy,” Durant said of Budenholzer earlier in the season, but it’s clear the Suns now want to build around Booker’s energy instead.