Released by two NBA teams, Lakers champion finds a job after persistently begging Jason Kidd

In a surprise move, Jason Kidd announced that Frank Vogel has now joined the Mavs coaching staff as an advisor. “It took a lot of begging” Kidd joked: “But he was talked into it and I’m glad he said yes.” This addition is monumental for the Mavs, who are already primed to add Klay Thompson to their roster. Now that Vogel – another proven NBA champion – has joined the coaching staff, the Dallas outfit has equipped its team with winning experience.

“The opportunity to work for Frank helped me with my coaching.” Kidd told reporters. They worked with the Lakers under Vogel and won the ring in 2020. “Hopefully we can win another title together” he said of Marc Stein and Grant Afseth. As we march back to the present, after an incredible playoff series that saw them reach the Finals but fall short, this offseason has brought nothing but hope and excitement. With these additions, the Mavs position themselves for another deep run, fueled by the champions’ experience both on the field and on the sideline. This feels like the start of something special in Dallas.

As for Phoenix, they made a bold move by hiring Mike Budenholzer, who was released by the Bucks following their 2023 first-round exit from the Heat. Although the Suns did not initially fire Frank Vogel immediately after their first-round playoff win against a young Minnesota team, the organization carefully evaluated the situation. After due diligence, they finally concluded it was time for a change.

“We are here to fight for championships”– James Jones on why Suns fired Frank Vogel

Ultimately, the decision was made to part ways with Frank Vogel, even though his tenure as head coach only lasted one season. This was the second team from which he was released after the Magic’s one-year coaching break. GM James Jones addressed the situation in a press release, saying: “We need to improve in many areas – there was no particular area. Overall it was like that – we just felt like the timing was right for the change.” Even with their Big Three, the Suns struggled, finishing sixth in the West with a 49-33 record while battling injuries and a lack of significant depth.

The move to Mike Budenholzer marks a change in coaching style. Frank Vogel emphasized communication, pure work ethic and attention to detail, while the former focused more on high-volume three-point shots. His philosophy is to encourage players to shoot from distance, which fits perfectly with a roster that includes elite scorers like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

GM Jones made it clear that they lacked consistency and a true competitive mentality. Reflecting on the fighting, he said: “Compete against your opponent, but more importantly, compete with yourself. And I thought that was an area of ​​our team where we could be better. There were phases in which we did not fulfill our potential. A lot of that was just due to the inconsistency and our competitive nature. So we wanted to correct that, and I think we’re doing it right.”

Jones now believes the Suns have a real chance at a championship. “We are here to compete for championships and I believe with Mike at the helm we will continue to do that – compete for championships.” he concluded.

Adding to the excitement is that Frank Vogel has joined the Mavericks coaching staff, another contender! Even though he is not the head coach, his presence on the team brings valuable experience. With both the Mavericks and Suns now competing in the Western Conference, it sets up an intriguing rivalry between two teams led by championship-caliber minds. What do you think?

Before you travel, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.