Phoenix Suns complete new head coach Mike Budenholzer’s coaching staff with the hiring of Schuyler Rimmer. The Suns officially announced Budenholzer’s staff Tuesday — Chad Forcier, David Fizdale, Vince Legarza, Mike Hopkins, Brent Barry, James Posey, Chaisson Allen and Rimmer.
Mike Budenholzer Rumors
Gerald Bourguet: The Suns have officially announced their coaching staff under Mike Budenholzer: Chad Forcier, David Fizdale, Vince Legarza, Mike Hopkins, Brent Barry, James Posey, Chaisson Allen and Schuyler Rimmer
So, seeing his son Brent join new Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer’s coaching staff as an assistant makes the 80-year-old papa feel good. Brent Barry announced the hire Tuesday evening on Twitter. “I’m happy for him that he is getting the opportunity to do something that he has wanted to do,” Rick Barry said. “I think any parent always wants the best for their children.”
The Phoenix Suns are looking to add James Posey to new head coach Mike Budenholzer’s staff to work as an assistant coach, sources informed The Arizona Republic. Posey was an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards the past two seasons, including Suns guard Bradley Beal’s final season with the Wizards in 2022-23.
Michael Scotto: The Phoenix Suns are hiring John Little as head coach of their G League affiliate, the Valley Suns, sources told @hoopshype. Little was the associate head coach of the Maine Celtics. Prior to that, Little was an assistant coach with the Wisconsin Herd in the Mike Budenholzer era. pic.twitter.com/NxwHXWXSKQ
Gillespie has watched their summer league games, as he sat alongside Budenholzer during Saturday’s game against Golden State. “I just wanted to be around the team, support them,” he said. “I’m out here working out and I’ll be here all week with those guys.” Gillespie said he’s been working on “everything” while in Vegas. “Shooting,” he said. “Just getting to know people. Getting to know the coaching staff, front office guys. People I’ll be working with. Whenever I’m working out, working on my game, I’m working on everything, trying to expand everything. Just become a complete player.”
Duane Rankin: Pero Antic on the Phoenix Suns #NBA2KSummerLeague bench, but he’s not on Suns staff as a coach. Played for Mike Budenholzer with the Atlanta Hawks. Has worked with Macedonia national team. Call it a tryout as Budenholzer said Suns still working on coaching staff. #Suns pic.twitter.com/MRLofRjb9n
Kevin Durant: “To say I was frustrated about that — that’s just a basketball thing that we always (feel). We trying to figure it out, you know what I mean? Style of play is not something that I’m pissed off at the team about. It’s just like, ‘Yo, we need to figure it out to get better.’ I think [new head coach Mike Budenholzer] has been watching film of what we did last year to try to incorporate some of those things that worked for us and try to finetune some of the things that didn’t.”
The Lakers underwent some turbulence in their coaching search. Much of the process consisted of Pelinka meeting with candidates by himself off-site or virtually, not within Lakers headquarters. After his conversation with Redick, Pelinka met with Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego in Los Angeles on May 20. Several candidates – Boston’s Sam Cassell, Minnesota’s Micah Nori, Denver’s David Adelman and Miami’s Chris Quinn – conducted virtual meetings. On May 29, Borrego became the first candidate to enter the Lakers’ facility to meet again with Pelinka and ownership. In the days before and after Borrego’s second in-person visit, some Lakers stakeholders believed the focus of the head-coaching search centered on Redick. Given the lack of a championship experience-driven hire after Mike Budenholzer went to the Suns and the Clippers kept Ty Lue long-term on a five-year contract extension, sources say Redick’s chances grew for the Lakers, a high-ceiling candidate tasked to balance winning and development and allowed to coach through early mistakes.
Mike Hopkins to become an assistant for Phoenix
Former University of Washington coach Mike Hopkins — a two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year — has agreed to a deal to become an assistant for the Phoenix Suns, sources told ESPN. After seven seasons with the Huskies and 30-plus overall in college basketball, Hopkins joins Mike Budenholzer’s new coaching staff, which will include David Fizdale and Chad Forcier, sources said. Hopkins, 54, had a 122-110 (.526) record with Washington, including a 2019 conference title and NCAA tournament bid.
