The Athletic's Doug Haller, Sam Amick and Fred Katz reported that Budenholzer's "contentious relationship with four-time All-Star and franchise centerpiece Devin Booker, as well as several other key players, was seen internally as a major issue" and played a key part in his firing.

The Phoenix Suns have been mathematically eliminated. The Suns took a huge step back this season, but Devin Booker took a bigger step forward.