Frank Vogel Fired, The Phoenix Suns sent shockwaves through the NBA by firing head coach Frank Vogel after just one disappointing season, despite his championship pedigree and the team’s massive financial investment in their roster. This move comes after Phoenix’s first-round playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves, raising serious questions about the franchise’s direction and decision-making process.
In this exclusive investigation, we’ll uncover:
✔ The 3 real reasons Vogel lost his job
✔ How Kevin Durant and Devin Booker influenced the decision
✔ Top candidates to replace Vogel (including 2 surprise names)
✔ What this means for Bradley Beal’s future
✔ Why the Suns’ roster construction failed Vogel
With insider sources from NBA NewsZ, we’re bringing you the untold story behind one of the NBA’s most shocking firings.
The Real Reasons Behind Vogel’s Dismissal
1. The Defensive Collapse
Despite Vogel’s reputation as a defensive mastermind (2020 Lakers championship), the Suns:
-
Fell to 13th in defensive rating (from 7th in 2022-23)
-
Allowed 118.3 PPG (6th-worst in NBA)
-
Gave up 48.3% shooting (bottom 10)
“The players never bought into his system,” a Suns staffer told NBA NewsZ. “KD and Book wanted more freedom on offense.”
2. The Failed Big Three Experiment
Phoenix’s $130M trio of Durant, Booker, and Beal:
-
Played just 41 games together
-
Had a +4.3 net rating (below championship standards)
-
Looked disjointed in clutch moments
Frank Vogel Fired, Vogel couldn’t solve their spacing/ball-dominance issues.
3. The Minnesota Massacre
The first-round sweep exposed:
-
No offensive identity (23 turnovers in Game 4)
-
Poor adjustments to Anthony Edwards
-
Zero defensive resistance (Wolves shot 51% overall)
How Durant & Booker Influenced the Decision
While neither star publicly criticized Vogel, sources reveal:
-
Booker preferred more pace/space offense
-
Durant wanted more isolation sets
-
Both grew frustrated with rigid rotations
“When your stars stop responding, change is inevitable,” an NBA executive said.
Top 5 Candidates to Replace Vogel
1. Mike Budenholzer (Former Bucks HC)
✔ Championship experience
✔ Proven with superstar egos
✖ Stubborn playoff adjustments
2. James Borrego (Pelicans Assistant)
✔ Modern offensive mind
✔ Developed young Hornets teams
✖ No playoff success
3. David Fizdale (Suns Assistant)
✔ Respected by Durant
✔ Knows the roster
✖ Failed in NY/Memphis
4. Becky Hammon (Aces HC)
✔ Popovich disciple
✔ WNBA champion
✖ Ownership may hesitate
5. Doc Rivers (ESPN Analyst)
✔ Veteran leader
✔ Championship pedigree
✖ Recent playoff blunders
Bradley Beal’s Uncertain Future
Frank Vogel Fired, The Suns’ $161M investment in Beal now looks questionable:
-
Played just 53 games
-
Shot career-worst 36.5% from three
-
No-trade clause until 2026
If the new coach can’t unlock him, Phoenix is stuck with a bad contract.
Why the Suns’ Roster Doomed Vogel
GM James Jones built a flawed roster:
❌ No true point guard
❌ Lack of wing defenders
❌ Overpaid role players (Nurkic, Gordon)
“Frank was set up to fail,” a rival scout said. “This was a front office problem.”
Read More: Victor Wembanyama’s Historic Rookie Season: How the Spurs’ Phenom Redefined NBA Expectations
Final Verdict: Suns at a Crossroads
This firing signals Phoenix:
✅ Is desperate to win now
✅ Will let stars influence coaching hires
✅ May trade future picks for quick fixes
For 24/7 Suns coverage, bookmark NBA NewsZ.
No comment