Before being dismissed as head coach of the Phoenix Suns, Mike Budenholzer reportedly attempted to reshape Bradley Beal’s role by urging him to emulate Jrue Holiday’s defensive presence.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes on Haynes Briefs, Budenholzer met with Beal earlier this season and told the 31-year-old guard he wanted him to be “the Jrue Holiday of this team.”
Holiday, widely respected as one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders, was instrumental in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2021 championship run under Budenholzer.
The request, however, was not well received by Beal, per Haynes, who emphasized that the three-time All-Star did not respond positively to the comparison.
Haynes noted that a better approach might have been explaining defensive responsibilities without invoking a specific player who is known primarily for elite defense.
Beal, whose game has long been defined by shot creation and scoring, averaged just 17.0 points per game this season—his lowest since 2014–15.
He also contributed 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 53 appearances while logging 32.1 minutes per contest.
Phoenix’s defense ranked among the NBA’s worst, allowing 116.6 points per game and finishing 11th in the West with a 36–46 record.
The team missed the postseason entirely, leading to Budenholzer’s firing after only one year at the helm.
The Suns now face a critical offseason with franchise cornerstone Devin Booker reportedly the only untouchable piece on the roster.
As reported by Shams Charania on NBA Today, the organization intends to work with Kevin Durant on a potential trade, and Beal’s future remains uncertain due to his declining production and full no-trade clause.
The Suns had the league’s highest payroll entering the 2024–25 season but failed to reach expectations despite having three max-salary players.
Phoenix is expected to evaluate coaching candidates who can better align with Booker’s timeline and defensive growth.
With Durant, Beal, and possibly others on the move, the Suns appear headed toward a full retooling around Booker heading into 2025–26.
