Is Suns Coach Frank Vogel on the Hot Seat?
Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel could be on the hot seat - in year one.
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns could make another coaching change this offseason.
Current head coach Frank Vogel was given a five-year deal on June 7 last year to take over for Monty Williams - but that will be very unlikely in deterring Suns' governor Mat Ishbia from making bold decisions on the fly.
Forbes' Evan Sidery echoed a sentiment that has begun to percolate around the league - one that Vogel isn't safe from getting terminated from his job after one season without a deep playoff run.
"There is a growing buzz around Frank Vogel’s job security as the Suns’ head coach," he wrote on Twitter/X.
"If Phoenix is unable to make it out of the first round, Vogel could lose his job after just one season.
"The Suns are 13-11 since the All-Star break ranking No. 15 in net rating.
"Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal are also being outscored by 4.4 points per 100 possessions (-4.4 NetRtg) when they share the floor during that span."
Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro would not dismiss the notion that Vogel could lose his job without a high-end outcome on his end, either.
This also coincides with the belief that Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue remains coveted by the Suns - he was reportedly on the top of Ishbia's wish-list last summer.
Lue is coaching on an expiring contract with L.A. - and an early playoff exit from the Clippers could see the two parties move in separate directions.
For the record, Vogel is an exceptional basketball mind. The Suns' defense has no business being as effective or as statistically strong as it is given the personnel - Vogel has certainly played a huge hand with his attention to detail and tactical wizardry.
However, Lue is a clear cut top-five coach in the association. He is a better fit for the vision Ishbia has of the Suns long-term. He is someone the locker room will one hundred percent back in an effort to bounce back in spectacular fashion next season.
Will the Suns have a third head coach in as many seasons come June?
Stay tuned.
