Phoenix Suns Dismiss Coach Monty Williams After Historic Season
After leading the Phoenix Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance in 2021, coach Monty Williams has been dismissed by the team, according to sources.[0] Williams had been with the Suns for four seasons, during which he won two NBA Coach of the Year awards, compiled a 194-115 record, and led the team to the 2021 NBA Finals.[1] However, after the Suns were eliminated from the playoffs in the Western Conference semifinals by the Denver Nuggets, new owner Mat Ishbia decided to go in a different direction.[0]
Williams had helped resurrect the Suns franchise from one of the league's laughingstocks to the winningest team in the NBA over the past three seasons.[2] Under his leadership, the Suns had ended a 10-year playoff drought and had become a championship contender. However, their recent postseason shortcomings ultimately fell on him, including their loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals in 2022 and their loss to the Nuggets this year.
One potential candidate to replace Williams is former Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, who was dismissed by the Bucks earlier this month.[1] However, reports indicate that the Bucks are also interested in Williams and Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue.[3] Lue had guided the Clippers to the postseason in two of the past three seasons, including a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2021.[4]
The Suns have an attractive market, with two top-10 players in Kevin Durant and Devin Booker under contract long-term, and driven, dynamic ownership.[5] The team will be competing in the coaching marketplace with Milwaukee and Toronto, both of whom are also searching for a new head coach.[6]
In addition to Williams, the Suns also let go of one front-office executive and two scouts, according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.[7] The team also faces uncertainty regarding Chris Paul, their 38-year-old point guard who suffered a groin injury during the series against the Nuggets and has a $30 million team option for next season that becomes fully guaranteed in late June.
Despite the disappointing end to their season, the Suns remain a team on the rise and a desirable destination for coaching candidates. With the right coach and the right moves in the offseason, they could once again contend for a championship in the near future.
0. “Suns Make NBA History By Firing Head Coach Monty Williams” NESN, 14 May. 2023, https://nesn.com/2023/05/suns-make-nba-history-by-firing-head-coach-monty-williams/
1. “Monty Williams Out As Suns' Coach” hoopsrumors.com, 14 May. 2023, https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/05/monty-williams-out-as-suns-head-coach.html
2. “Sources – Suns dismiss coach Monty Williams after 4 seasons – ESPN” ESPN, 14 May. 2023, https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/37644346/sources-suns-dismiss-coach-monty-williams-4-seasons
3. “Monty Williams, Tyronn Lue On Bucks' Radar” RealGM.com, 12 May. 2023, https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/271534/Monty-Williams-Tyronn-Lue-On-Bucks-Radar
4. “Suns' rumored interest in Tyronn Lue after Monty Williams firing” ClutchPoints, 14 May. 2023, https://clutchpoints.com/clippers-tyronn-lue-linked-to-suns-after-monty-williams-firing
5. “NBA 2023: Playoffs, Monty Williams sacked as Phoenix Suns coach, contenders, next coach, Deandre Ayton future …” Fox Sports, 14 May. 2023, https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/nba/nba-2023-playoffs-monty-williams-sacked-as-phoenix-suns-coach-contenders-next-coach-deandre-ayton-future-chris-paul-jock-landale-free-agency/news-story/b6100d69ddbc7907b18344e90888eb94
6. “Phoenix Suns Fire Head Coach Monty Williams” Blazer's Edge, 14 May. 2023, https://www.blazersedge.com/2023/5/13/23722858/phoenix-suns-fire-head-coach-monty-williams-record-playoffs-matt-ishbia-owner-kevin-durant
7. “Suns fire head coach Monty Williams after four seasons: report” Fox News, 14 May. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/suns-fire-head-coach-monty-williams-four-seasons
