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👋 GOOD MORNING
Happy Tuesday, and happy tax day …. I guess? Hopefully you got your documents into the IRS, or got the extension you were looking for, but in case you’re still frantically trying to put together your W2(s), 1099(s), or anything in between, good luck, and I hope the audit odds fall in your favor!
Yesterday was a surprisingly busy sports day between the Suns firing Mike Budenholzer and the WNBA Draft, and it’s really only the beginning. It’s going to be a fun few weeks that culminate with the NFL Draft in Green Bay on April 24, so though the D-backs are the only major sports team currently in season in The Valley, there’s no shortage of storylines to follow along with right now.
One last note: Remember, if this email was forwarded to you, you can sign up for the newsletter right here, and I’ll keep you in the loop with everything going on this summer! Don’t miss a beat!
On to the show!
3 Traits the Suns Must Find in Their New Coach
The worst-kept secret in the NBA was formally announced yesterday morning: The Phoenix Suns have fired Mike Budenholzer, ending the prodigal-son-like experiment that started as a dream job before morphing into a nightmare. Budenholzer’s team finished 36-46 while missing the postseason for the first time since 2019-20, which was not the end result anyone predicted after the Suns started 8-1.
Perhaps more depressingly, next season Phoenix will be led by its fourth coach in as many seasons, considering Monty Williams was coach from 2019-23, followed by Frank Vogel (2023-24) and Budenholzer (2024-25). Not the most ideal track record, and honestly it’s a hire that owner Mat Ishbia and GM James Jones have GOT to get right this time around.
Must-Have Traits For Suns’ Incoming Coach
Budenholzer was supposed to be the answer, but he was seemingly unable to motivate and/or manage a team loaded with staggering levels of talent. It’s anyone’s guess as to whether superstar Kevin Durant or starter-turned-role-player Bradley Beal will even be on the roster next season, but for our purposes today, I’m going to assume the answer to both of those questions is yes.
- Manage the Egos: Don’t misconstrue this as an indication of there being too many egos in the room, because I’m not a believer in that. But there is something to the ability to manage multiple egos in the room, and while I’m not saying the Suns need a Phil Jackson clone, bringing in someone who understands how to properly deliver messaging is critical to the team’s success in both the near-and-far terms.
- Avoid the Fan-Pleasing Trap: There’s a dark horse name floating around: Steve Nash. I actually don’t hate it (Nash experienced success in two-plus seasons as Brooklyn’s head coach, including a Conference Finals appearance), but the decision needs to center around the roster’s construction maximizing the team’s championship window — not bringing someone in for optics. That time has long since passed.
- A Proven Winner: This can’t be just “an” opportunity for someone. This has to be THE opportunity for someone. A coach who can take the insane talent on the roster, combine the mix of young talent and veteran leadership, and help the Suns capture their first-ever NBA title. And you know how you do that? By hiring someone who’s done it before. This isn’t about potential, and it’s not about a big, flashy name: It’s about bringing in someone who knows how to win because it’s something they have already done. Full stop.
My take: Ever the eternal optimist, I’m choosing to look at this as an exciting time to be a Suns fan. Yes, the sting of missing the postseason with a roster as loaded as what Phoenix had is hard to dampen, but at the same, time, this could be a renaissance of sorts for basketball in The Valley. The team has an incredible star who just entered his prime (Booker), and combined with the veteran skill and leadership leadership of a guy like Durant, there truly is a lot of potential to unlock.
But it all starts at the top, and frankly, Jones and Ishbia have one last chance to get it right before everything is blown up and the dreaded “rebuild” word starts getting thrown around again.
Take a Deeper Dive: Gerald looks at how the Suns were right to fire Budenholzer, even if their problems extend far beyond the head coaching position.
Musings From Around (and Sometimes Beyond) The Valley
Draft FOMO: Yesterday marked the WNBA Draft in New York, but the Mercury were simply friendly observers considering they had no selections in the three-round event. Phoenix traded its first and second-round picks in the February deal that brought All-Star Alyssa Thomas to The Valley (among others), and also dealt away its third-round selection in an August 2024 trade. For what it’s worth, the Dallas Wings drafted UConn star Paige Bueckers first overall last night.
Transfer Portal, Round 2: Buckle up as the NCAA football transfer portal opens up for the spring session tomorrow. It’s not so much that any surprises are expected, but more so that that rumor mill is already running rampant. Tennessee fans and talking heads, for example, are trying to convince themselves that the departure of star QB Nico Iamaleava opens the door for a Sam Leavitt transfer to the Vols. Two words: Hell no.
Welcome to Miami: The D-backs kick off the first of six straight road games tonight against the Marlins, looking to continue their winning ways after winning four of their last five. Arizona heads to Chicago to face the Cubs this weekend — the two split their four-game series earlier this season — and the 9-7 Diamondbacks have plenty of work to do as they chase the 12-6 Dodgers, 12-4 Giants and 14-3 Padres in the NL West.
🧢 Tip of the Hat
Monday’s Suns news was just the beginning…
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