It is common practice to prune and repot azaleas soon after blooming. My Satsuki are now in bloom, so I routinely end up repotting in late May or early June when it is common to have temps around 90F here in SC. I'd guess your's in not a Satsuki cultivar and likely bloomed last March or April, so it's a little past due but do-able with proper aftercare...mostly shade or just early morning sun for a few weeks, keep it protected from drying winds, etc.
"I will post another picture after repotting and taking all the leaves off..."
I have never totally defoliated azaleas but routinely prune back to one or two leaf pairs depending on the intended design.
I just posted a few azalea pics.
Good luck!