Remember DeMarre Carroll? Carroll, who is currently an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, has remained active in the NBA even after his playing days are done. Carroll is also a person who may be on the move shortly. With his old employer, Mike Budenholzer, slated to coach the Phoenix Suns beginning in the 2024-25 NBA season, Carroll is a name to keep an eye on, according to Shane Young of Forbes Sports.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Assistant to Move to Phoenix Soon?
Of course, Young is only speculating, but Carroll’s link to Budenholzer is significant. Carroll not only served on Budenholzer’s coaching staff with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2022-23 NBA season, but he also played for him while with the Atlanta Hawks.
Carroll spent two seasons with the Hawks from 2013 to 2015, averaging 11.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 steals in 143 Atlanta games. While not a star, he was a valuable role player for the Hawks, finishing tied for 15th in the 2014-15 Defensive Player of the Year vote.
Carroll’s familiarity may make it simpler for Budenholzer to develop a culture in Phoenix. Carroll, for the time being, remains with the Lakers and awaits his destiny as the franchise searches for a new head coach.
Mike Budenholzer made his first move as Suns coach.
Frank Vogel’s career with the Phoenix Suns was brief.
He was their fall man, which wasn’t right, but that’s simply how things are in this line of work.
Despite having a mediocre defensive roster, Vogel ranked the Suns in the top half of the NBA in terms of defense.
In retrospect, Vogel and the Suns never had a chance, and their problems went deeper than coaching.
Even yet, someone had to pay, and it wasn’t going to be Mat Ishbia, so he was replaced by Mike Budenholzer.
Notably, the former NBA championship coach wasted no time getting the ball going in his home state.
According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, Budenholzer has already begun cleaning house, informing several of Vogel’s assistants that he would not be keeping them on in the future.
Of course, this makes perfect sense, given that coach Budenholzer has been around the game for a long time and already has confidants and assistant coaches.
Budenholzer took the year off after being dismissed by the Milwaukee Bucks just a few years after winning an NBA title with them, demonstrating the vicious and merciless character of the industry.
Even yet, if the Suns are unable to make big personnel adjustments, Budenholzer and his coaches will have few options for turning things around.
