Suns Assistant Emerges as Finalist for Nets' Job

Kevin Young could land a head coaching opportunity next season.

Apr 25, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns assistant coach Kevin Young against the Los / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

PHOENIX -- Phoenix Suns assistant Kevin Young was a hot name to watch on the coaching market last offseason, taking interviews with multiple teams before ultimately being retained by Frank Vogel.

That again appears to be the case.

Young is reportedly a finalist for the Brooklyn Nets' head coaching job, according to The Athletic. This comes after Brooklyn fired former coach Jacque Vaughn back in February.

More from Shams Charania:

"Milwaukee Bucks championship coach Mike Budenholzer, Sacramento Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernandez and Phoenix Suns associate head coach Kevin Young are among the finalists for the Brooklyn Nets head coaching job, league sources tell The Athletic. Nets owner Joe Tsai is holding in-person finalist meetings with all three, and a final decision is looming in the near future, those sources say."

Young is also reportedly a finalist for the Charlotte Hornets' active head coach search. Young - one of the highest-paid assistant coaches in the league - has been in charge of organizing Phoenix's offense while Vogel has assembled the Suns' defensive efforts in 2023-24.

The Suns have already eclipsed their previous win total from last season with a 48-33 record entering their season finale on Sunday. Phoenix is in contention for the sixth seed and will need a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves coupled with a loss from the New Orleans Pelicans to avoid the play-in tournament.

Young - if hired in Brooklyn - would reunite with former Suns Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson.