“We got to get the next hire right and we will," Ishbia said at the team’s practice facility. "The team and the roster that was constructed by (Suns general manager James Jones and CEO Josh Bartelstein), scouts, the front office is much better than a 36-win roster."

The decision, which comes less than one year after the team hired Budenholzer on a five-year deal worth more than $50 million and less than four years since he won a title with the Milwaukee Bucks, is the latest course correction from Suns owner Mat Ishbia that comes with significant cost.