Three Names Emerge in Suns Search for New Head Coach

The Phoenix Suns are no less than a full 24 hours removed from firing Monty Williams, and three names have emerged as a potential replacement.

After four years of service, the Phoenix Suns have decided to split ways with head coach Monty Williams. 

The decision came 48 hours after their embarrassing Game 6 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Phoenix exited in the second round in back-to-back years with each series ending in embarrassing fashion at home. 

Owner Mat Ishbia believed it was time to move on, and general manager James Jones classified the decision was difficult.

“Monty has been foundational to our success over the past four seasons,” said Jones in an official statement from the Suns. “We are filled with gratitude for everything Monty has contributed to the Suns and to the Valley community.

“While it was difficult for me to make this decision, I look forward to continuing the work to build a championship team.”

Now, the search for a new head coach moves forward, and NBA insider Chris Haynes says the team already has three names on their list of candidates: Kevin Young, Mike Budenholzer and Nick Nurse. 

Phoenix Suns are formulating a list of head coaching candidates that includes assistant Kevin Young, Mike Budenholzer and Nick Nurse, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 14, 2023

In a follow-up tweet, Haynes says the list of candidates for Phoenix will expand as they are one of the prime openings in the market. The Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks are also looking for new head coaches. 

Young is an associate head coach for the Suns who joined the staff in 2020 as an assistant, earning the associate head coach role in 2021. Prior to Phoenix, he spent four years with the Philadelphia 76ers as an assistant. He has head coaching experiencing with three teams in the NBA's G League.  

In an ESPN article highlighting potential coaches to watch last offseason, they said this of Young: 

"If it's alignment you're looking for, Suns associate head coach Kevin Young is a natural fit. Both the Suns' basketball ops crew and head coach Monty Williams regard Young as an essential hub to share ideas across the organization. It's a logical role for a young coach who excels at both listening and communicating. Young served as a head coach in the G League for six seasons, which gave him a foundation as an organizer and big-picture thinker. 

"He has earned the respect of players with his work ethic and candor. He was a finalist for the Washington job last spring, where his sharpness impressed."

Budenholzer and Nurse are each respective championship head coaches, yet both bring different dynamics to the table. Many believe Budenholzer is similar to Williams in his inability to make adjustments in-game while Nurse was known for coaching his guys too tough at times. 

Still, both were able to guide their teams to titles, something Williams got close to on multiple occasions but was never fully able to succeed in. 

As mentioned earlier, the list of candidates is expected to expand for Phoenix. Yet these are the three names that jump out immediately.