The Phoenix Suns fired head coach Monty Williams on Saturday night just hours after being eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Denver Nuggets. As the franchise prepares to make significant changes this summer, there are already NBA rumors about the Suns’ coaching search.
Phoenix is expected to overhaul its roster this summer, potentially parting ways with both Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton. While the franchise might look to move both players within the next two months, the first priority is the search for a new head coach.
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According to TNT’s Chris Haynes, the Suns have identified Mike Budenholzer, Nick Nurse and assistant coach Kevin Young as their early targets to pursue for their coaching vacancy.
Budenholzer and Nurse are among the top NBA coaching candidates after being fired by the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors. With Williams emerging as a candidate on Milwaukee’s radar, there appears to be a chance the Suns and Bucks could essentially swap coaches.
Young is a rising name in the NBA. The 41-year-old began his coaching career with the Shamrock Rovers Hooops, a team that formerly played in the Superleague. He later coached at Utah Valley State (2007-’08) and Oxford College (2008-’09) then coached in the G-League with the Utah Flash, Iowa Energy and Delaware 87ers.
After serving as an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers from 2017-’20, Young became an assistant in Phoenix and was then promoted to associated head coach in 2021.
Nurse, who has received glowing praise from Kevin Durant in the past, also figures to be under heavy consideration by the Suns’ organization.
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Much like the Bucks, Phoenix could also see if the Los Angeles Clippers are willing to trade coach Tyronn Lue. While the Suns traded a majority of their draft capital to acquire Durant and the Clippers might prefer to not strengthen another Western Conference contender, Phoenix will at least explore the possibility.