Next Phoenix Suns Head Coach Odds: Who Replaces Mike Budenholzer?

By Thomas Leary

@thelearythomas

April 15, 2025 08:00am

• 👀The Phoenix Suns missed the NBA playoffs, ending the Mike Budenholzer era. 
• 📈Below, our experts revealed their exclusive odds to be the next Suns head coach.
• 🏀Jared Dudley and Becky Hammon are in the running in Phoenix.

After another bitter regular season flop, the Phoenix Suns and owner Mat Ishbia decided to move on from first-year head coach Mike Budenholzer, who led the franchise to a 36-46 record this year to miss the playoffs. 

Despite the "Big 3" of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Phoenix never got it going this season, to the dismay of many at Arizona sportsbooks. 

Luckily, BetArizona.com drew up some hypothetical odds on who could be the next man up on the bench for the Suns.

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Phoenix Suns Next Head Coach Odds

Odds not currently available at Arizona betting apps.

Willie Green Early Favorite

Pelicans coach Willie Green has had an awkward week in New Orleans. His boss, front office leader David Griffin, was fired following an underperforming season, and it's far from certain Green himself will be back in NOLA. If he is, it will be working for a new boss who did not hire him, which always makes for an awkward arrangement. 

Hence, we like the former Suns assistant to return to the Valley at +350, returning to the club where he honed his craft and letting the franchise grow alongside a young coach who has had some success in the league. 

Dudley, Cassell Could Be Next Suns Head Coach

Former NBA players Jared Dudley (+550) and Sam Cassell (+800) could also be ready to lead their own squads. Dudley has been learning from Jason Kidd in Dallas the past few years, and is thought of as an up-and-comer in the coaching ranks. He also played for the Suns from 2008-2013. 

Cassell is also more than ready, having been an NBA assistant since 2008 after an excellent playing career. While he's been in Boston with Joe Mazulla for the past couple seasons, Cassell mostly comes from the Doc Rivers tree, having been with Doc for stints with the Clippers and 76ers. 

Steve Nash, Becky Hammon Are Longshots

Other respected assistants like the Heat's Chris Quinn (+800), the Rockets' Royal Ivey (+1000) and the Cavs' Johnnie Bryant (+1750) should be in the mix, but don't count out former Suns legend Steve Nash (+1250). Nash's stint as a head coach in Brooklyn wasn't great, but as Suns fans have learned, coaching Kevin Durant isn't easy. And Durant is unlikely to be back in Phoenix next season. Don't rule out a popular reunion for Nash and Suns in what would be a PR win for Ishbia. 

Then there's Aces coach Becky Hammon (+2000), who learned under Gregg Popovich for years with the Spurs and has quickly made her mark in the WNBA. Is the NBA finally ready for a female head coach? Hammon's resume demands to be taken seriously. 

USA Today photo by Matt Krohn.

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