The Phoenix Suns will hire Mike Budenholzer on a contract worth approximately $10 million per season.

Budenholzer will return to coaching one season after he was fired by the Milwaukee Bucks. Budenholzer's Bucks defeated the Suns during the 2021 Finals.

The Suns parted ways with Frank Vogel as head coach this week after one season in the job.

After a disappointing first round exit, the Suns intend to keep their core of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in place. 

Rick Carlisle has received a $35,000 fine by the NBA for his comments after the Indiana Pacers' Game 2 loss to the New York Knicks. Carlisle criticized the officiating in the game and also questioned the integrity of the NBA and its officials.

"I'm always talking to our guys about not making it about the officials," said Carlisle after the game. "But we deserve a fair shot. And there's not a consistent balance. And that's disappointing."

Carlisle also talked about the possibility of the size of the two teams markets making a difference in how the game is officiated. 

"Small-market teams deserve an equal shot,” Carlisle added. “They deserve a fair shot no matter where they are playing."

Brandon Ingram is the player "most likely" to be traded by the New Orleans Pelicans, according Michael Scotto of the HoopsHype Podcast.

Ingram is entering into the final season of his $36 million contract.

Ingram reportedly had a "minor exchange" with head coach Willie Green during Game 2 of the team's first-round series against the Thunder.

Ingram has also been linked with a possible deal to the Sixers.

The Charlotte Hornets have agreed to hire Lamar Skeeter as the lead assistant coach under Charles Lee.

Skeeter spent the past decade with the Utah Jazz under Quin Snyder and Will Hardy.

The Los Angeles Lakers have interest in assistants Micah Nori, David Adelman, Sean Sweeney, and Chris Quinn as possible candidates to fill their vacant head coach position, reported Jovan Buha on Buha's Block.

Buha adds that the Lakers are not in the stage of interviewing candidates, but they do plan to name a coach by the NBA Draft on June 26.

The organization met earlier this week to establish the criteria for the next head coach.

JJ Redick and Kenny Atkinson remain candidates for the open position.

Ty Lue would be the Lakers' top choice should be become available, though it appears unlikely at this point.

Jonas Valanciunas will not return to the New Orleans Pelicans next season, according to Michael Scotto of the HoopsHype Podcast.

Valanciunas is not seen as a fit on the roster next to Zion Williamson.

Brandon Ingram is also considered likely to be traded by the team this offseason.

After a disappointing Game 2 loss for the second consecutive series, Jayson Tatum spoke about the expectations outsiders have placed on the Boston Celtics following their dominant regular season.

“We get it,” Tatum said after the Celtics were blown out in the second half by the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2. “The world thinks we’re never supposed to lose. We’re supposed to win every game by 25. It’s not gonna be like that all the time. We don’t expect it to be easy. This is a good team we’re playing. It’s the second round of the playoffs. It’s going to be fun the rest of the series, especially come Saturday.”

Tatum also talked about the superteam narrative placed on the Celtics.

“That’s the narrative you might see on TV,” Tatum said. “The idea that we have a superteam. It’s two-fold, right? We didn’t have the Coach of the Year. We didn’t have the MVP. We only had two All-Stars. They say we’re a superteam, but we didn’t get rewarded like we are. We know we’ve got a good team. We’re not perfect. We play the right way more often than not. We know we gotta be better.”

Toronto has been awarded a WNBA franchise beginning in the 2026 season. The franchise will be owned by Kilmer Sports Inc., which is run by Larry Tanenbaum.

Tanenbaum is a minority owner and chairman of sporting giant Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment which owns the Maple Leafs, Raptors, TFC, Argos and Marlies.

Tanenbaum reportedly attempted to purchase the team through MLSE, but other members of the board turned down the opportunity. 

The WNBA recently expanded to 13 teams with San Francisco beginning play in 2025.

The Phoenix Suns are expected to offer lead assistant David Fizdale a job in the front office.

The move comes after the Suns hired Mike Budenholzer as the team's new head coach.

Fizdale is not expected to accept the offer, according to The Athletic.