‘They’re Always Pushing’ — Suns HC Mike Budenholzer Reveals Pressure From Phoenix’s Ownership, Front Office

The Phoenix Suns’ season has been a rollercoaster, and not the fun kind. Sitting at 29-33, they’re fighting to stay in the playoff mix. But with inconsistency, injuries, and tough competition in the West, some fans are already throwing around the “T-word”—tanking.

So, what does the Suns’ front office think? Head coach Mike Budenholzer made it clear, that’s not happening.

Mike Budenholzer: Phoenix Suns Ownership Is All In on Winning
Despite the Suns’ struggles, Budenholzer said team owner Mat Ishbia, general manager James Jones, and CEO Josh Bartelstein aren’t even considering throwing in the towel. In fact, they’re pushing harder than ever to turn things around.

“They’re always pushing. What can they do to help? How can we get better?” Budenholzer said when asked about his recent talks with the Suns’ top brass.

“I think all of us, there’s a desire and a knowing that we’ve got to be better. And they want to know—is there anything we need? Very supportive.”

It seems like Phoenix is still trying to salvage this season. And after a narrow win against the Clippers, things are looking up. No fire sale. No waving the white flag. Just trying to fix what’s broken before it’s too late.

Why Tanking Isn’t on the Table for the Suns
Another reason tanking isn’t an option? The Suns don’t even own their first-round pick this year. Thanks to past trades, the Houston Rockets control Phoenix’s first-rounder, meaning losing on purpose wouldn’t benefit them at all. On top of that, the Suns have traded away several future picks or tied them up in swaps, leaving no real incentive to bottom out now or later. Simply put, this team is built to win, not rebuild.

Also, Ishbia isn’t that type of owner. Since buying the team, he’s been all-in on making the Suns a contender. Giving up? Not his style.

Yes, the Suns are struggling, but the West is still wide open. A hot streak could put them in the play-in mix. They just snagged a close win against the Clippers, right? And once you’re in, anything can happen.

But with only a handful of games left, Phoenix has two choices: fix its issues and make a push or fade into irrelevance. Budenholzer and the front office are choosing to fight. Now, it’s up to Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal to back that up on the court.

Can they actually turn this thing around? That’s the million-dollar question. But one thing’s for sure—tanking isn’t in the Suns’ game plan.