Bol Bol’s tenure with the Phoenix Suns came to an abrupt end. It didn’t stem from his play on the court, but on March 12, 2025, it all fell apart. In a furious game against the Houston Rockets. Bol stayed back and played layups, minding his own business, while teammates Mason Plumlee and Steven Adams got caught up in a brawl. The coaching staff paid attention to what that moment said.
To then-head coach Mike Budenholzer, it wasn’t just a lapse in judgment, it was a red flag. In a league where chemistry and trust are everything, Bol’s detached reaction didn’t sit right. Budenholzer benched him immediately, and Bol didn’t see meaningful minutes again for the rest of the season. For a coach like Budenholzer, who often emphasizes a strong team culture and collective responsibility, Bol’s inaction likely signaled a potential disconnect that could undermine team unity.
NBA Insider Chris Haynes took to social media and shared a post on Instagram, detailing the incident. In the video, Chris talks about what came to pass and why Bol had lost his place in the Sun’s rotation. He stated that Bol Bol did not get into the rotation until early February, and was left out shortly after a month.
To this, Matt Barnes, an NBA veteran and champion with the Golden State Warriors, commented on the post, exposing some inside information. He wrote, “That’s stupid, that’s why Bud will be collecting ‘a lot’ of money to stay away from the game.” Matt Barnes is implying that the decision to remove Bol from the rotation was a foolish one and that Budenholzer will make “a lot” of money. Barnes, known for his own strong team ethos and perhaps valuing talent over a single perceived misstep, clearly disagreed with Budenholzer’s handling of the situation.
About “a lot” of money, how much is a lot? Well, Budenholzer will continue to be paid by the Phoenix Suns under the terms of his contract. He signed a five-year, $50 million deal with the Suns in May 2024, earning $10 million per year. After completing one year and earning $10 million, the Phoenix Suns still owe Budenholzer the remaining $40 million on his contract. Damn, looks like he’s going to get rich by doing nothing.
Now, how do the prospects look like for Bol? He barely cracked the rotation in February, and by mid-March, the coaches pushed him to the fringes. Critics say he has untapped potential, but the signs don’t look that good However, there may be a saving grace. Let’s take a look.
What does it look like for Bol Bol moving forward?
Bol’s future with the Phoenix Suns hangs by a thread. And the incident on March 12, 2025, frayed it even further. During a moment that called for team unity and awareness, Bol chose to stay disengaged. It did not sit well with the coaching staff.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer benched him soon after, and for the rest of the season, he played mostly in garbage time or during emergency situations. Just like that, his role vanished. The swift and decisive nature of Bol’s removal from the rotation underscores the severity with which his actions were perceived by the coaching staff.
The thing is, before that moment, Bol had actually shown some promise. There were games where he looked like he belonged, averaging around 18 points, 7 boards, and swatting shots like it was nothing. He even earned back-to-back starts at one point. But that one lapse in effort seemed to erase all the progress. Fast forward to the end of the season, and the Suns wrapped things up with a disappointing 36–46 record, leading to Budenholzer’s firing, making him the third coach to get the axe in just as many seasons.
Monty Williams was gone in 2023, Frank Vogel lasted a season, and now Bud is out too. It is becoming a pattern, and not a good one. The Suns’ recent coaching instability highlights the pressure on the organization to find a winning formula, which might lead to a greater willingness to explore all available talent.
Here is the twist, though: Budenholzer’s exit could actually be Bol’s lifeline. A new coach means a new perspective, and maybe even a clean slate. With the Suns’ front office under pressure to shake things up and reevaluate talent across the board, Bol has a shot if he comes into training camp locked in and ready to prove he is more than just a highlight reel. It is now or never, and Bol’s next move could define the rest of his NBA journey. A fresh coaching staff might see Bol’s unique skillset and potential as an asset worth developing, especially if they aim to implement a different style of play.
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