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The report, which emerged early Wednesday morning, details previously undisclosed issues during Kokoškov’s brief tenure with the Suns during the 2018-2019 season, including internal dysfunction, alleged mismanagement by front office personnel, and a toxic culture that may have impacted player development and team performance.
Budenholzer, who took over as head coach in 2024 following a brief stint in broadcasting, appeared visibly stunned during a press availability just hours after the report dropped. “I have a great deal of respect for Igor,” Budenholzer said. “If he felt compelled to come forward now, years later, then I believe there’s a real need to listen and take this seriously. These kinds of revelations don’t just come out of nowhere.”
According to excerpts from the report, Kokoškov alleges that he was “undermined from within” and given “limited control over key basketball decisions,” despite being hired to lead the team’s rebuilding phase. The former coach also hinted at friction between the coaching staff and executives over player usage and draft choices.
Budenholzer emphasized that the current culture under new leadership is markedly different. “We’ve worked incredibly hard to build something strong, inclusive, and transparent here. But this kind of news reminds us that we always have to stay vigilant and accountable, not just for ourselves, but for the legacy of the organization.”
The Suns organization has yet to issue a formal statement in response to the report but is reportedly reviewing the claims internally.
Meanwhile, several former players from the 2018-19 Suns roster have begun speaking out on social media, some supporting Kokoškov’s assertions, others expressing surprise.
The league office has not commented, but sources close to the situation say the NBA is “monitoring developments closely.”
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