After a historically awful opening to their season, which led to Earl Watson being fired after three games, we are finally approaching the finish to Phoenix Suns season-long question: Who will be the voice to guide these Suns through Devin Booker’s second contract and push them towards immediate competitiveness?
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, general manager Ryan McDonough has officially begun the Suns’ coaching search openly.
Phoenix Suns beginning a coaching search now, which will include interim coach Jay Triano. Story on ESPN: https://t.co/fnSiV8tTnM
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 23, 2018
The basis of this report reads much like one where he’s trying to garner up interest to prospective candidates.
As McDonough relayed to Woj, Phoenix wants to get a head start connecting the dots for future interviews and exploring the coaching ranks throughout the professional and college level.
Booker alongside Josh Jackson and T.J. Warren were the three mentioned as the building blocks of the Suns moving forward. I imagine whoever is their top pick in this year’s draft will also be added to that list.
Is McDonough just trying to keep Warren’s value high for a prospective trade this summer or are they expecting him to take developmental jumps on perimeter shooting, defense, and playmaking? That’s a question that suddenly needs to be answered soon.
Speaking of who took Watson’s place, Jay Triano will have time after the season wraps up to prepare his presentation. Triano’s agent, Warren LeGarie, mentions that Triano is dedicated to finishing the grind of this final stretch and is fully committed to building this team past this season.
For a summer where all the dominoes have fallen in place for them to finally overhaul this roster with their collection of assets, this decision is of utmost importance. After going through Jeff Hornacek, Watson, and Triano there finally needs to be stability for multiple seasons.
Five coaching candidates that I believe make sense for the Suns in an interview process are Jay Wright (Villanova), David Fizdale (Former Grizzlies HC), Igor Kokoskov (Jazz Asst.), Ettore Messina (Spurs Asst.), Tony Bennett (Virginia) while also adding in Triano’s involvement. You can read more of my thoughts here on that.
Chris Mannix adds that any big names will want good money and lots of guaranteed years.
Reality of the Suns coaching search, per multiple prominent coaching agents: Phoenix is going to have to come with real money over a 4-5 year deal to get anyone credible interested. Vets, or top assistants.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) March 23, 2018
Who are your ideal candidates for the Suns? The first puzzle piece of an aggressive summer is about to be set into motion. Buckle in.