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The Phoenix Suns went all-in to win a championship and failed to make it past the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
For that reason, the franchise chose to fire head coach Monty Williams.
Now, Phoenix is searching for it’s new head coach and they already have a some favorites in their sights.
According to Shams Charania, the Suns have Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue at the top of their list. Additionally, former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse is reportedly in the running as well.
Here’s what Charania had to say about what he’s hearing out of the Suns’ organization.
“I’m also told Ty Lue, if he became available, would be the Suns’ ideal No. 1 target, but league sources also say the Clippers could discuss extending his contract. Nick Nurse is said to be another viable candidate to fit the bill of what Phoenix’s leadership is looking for.”
Charania goes on to explain why Ty Lue and Nick Nurse are at the top of the Suns’ pecking order for head coaching candidates, per The Athletic.
“I’m told their decision to fire Williams was an organizational choice involving everyone from new team owner Mat Ishbia through all segments of team leadership. The Suns want to choose a new program builder who commands accountability and is creative in their offensive philosophy.”
Both Lue and Nurse have championship experience. Lue won a title with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers while Nurse won the NBA Finals with the Raptors in 2019.
They should each be considered a good fit for the Suns, as the front office seems to believe a new head coach is necessary for the team to reach its full potential.
Meanwhile, Monty Williams is getting roughly the same amount of attention from other teams across the league. Shams Charania also reports that teams like the “Bucks, Pistons, and Raptors will pursue and inquire about possibilities with Williams.”
In the end though, the Suns will be conducting a vast head coaching search this offseason. Despite having Ty Lue and Nick Nurse high on their list, Phoenix may opt to take their time searching for the right candidate.
The Athletic claims we should “expect an expansive search for Phoenix with as many as 6-7 candidates.”
If that’s the case, the Suns clearly don’t want to mess up on hiring their new head coach. Especially considering they just fired Monty Williams, who is viewed as one of the best in the league.