Potential contenders for the Suns' coaching vacancy, featuring individuals boasting prior NBA head coaching backgrounds.
Heading for a Fresh Start: The Phoenix Suns' Hunt for a New Head Coach
With Mike Budenholzer's dismissal from the Phoenix Suns, the team is on the hunt for a revitalizing force to lead them after a series of disappointing seasons. With a new general manager, Brian Gregory, and James Jones stepping down as senior adviser, the Suns are looking at a pair of coaching candidates with extensive experience, and several fresh faces as potential game-changers.
According to the latest blog on "The Stein Line" by Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the focus lies on recruiting a first-time head coach, rather than a seasoned veteran like Budenholzer or Frank Vogel. However, two experienced coaches are said to be in consideration: New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego and Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Dave Joerger.
The blog also hints that the Suns may consider candidates with NBA head coaching experience. But it's been emphasized that the current search will be "wide-ranging" and the Suns are keen on making a well-considered choice, given their recent poor performance and the need for improvement.
The Suns' Hidden Contenders
While James Borrego and Dave Joerger may be the front-runners, the hunt for a new coach has brought many other intriguing names into the mix. Among them are the following:
- Royal Ivey, currently an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets, who shares a strong relationship with Kevin Durant, having played alongside and coached him with both the Thunder and Nets.
- Johnnie Bryant, assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who is considered one of the top candidates for the position, with some sources ranking him as the leading choice.
- Kevin Young, a well-respected assistant already with the Suns, and seen as a Devin Booker-centric candidate, given Booker's importance to the franchise.
- Sean Sweeney and Jared Dudley, both Dallas Mavericks assistants, who have been linked to the Suns due to their leadership qualities.
- Adam Caporn, currently a Washington Wizards assistant coach and newly appointed head coach of Australia’s men's national basketball team, is also said to be under consideration.
- Willie Green, the New Orleans Pelicans head coach, is associated closely with Booker-centric options, but his candidacy appears less certain at present.
- David Fizdale, an experienced coach and current assistant with the Suns, is known as a "players' coach" and has gained support from the locker room due to his strong rapport.
The list also includes Jordan Ott, Ben Sullivan, Dave Bliss, and Chris Quinn, all rising coaching talents from around the NBA, who lack prior NBA head-coaching experience, aligning with the Suns' reported preferences.
As the Suns weigh their options and move forward, they hope to find the right fit to lead the team and restore the franchise to its former glory.
The Suns' new hunt for a head coach, with a focus on first-time coaches, has brought intriguing names into the spotlight, such as Royal Ivey, Johnnie Bryant, Kevin Young, Sean Sweeney, Jared Dudley, Adam Caporn, Willie Green, and David Fizdale. Additionally, a variety of up-and-coming coaching talents, including Jordan Ott, Ben Sullivan, Dave Bliss, and Chris Quinn, are also being considered, as the Suns aim to find the right candidate to turn the team's fortunes in the NBA playoffs.
