Jay Triano will interview for Suns head coaching job on Thursday
Apr 18, 2018, 11:49 AM | Updated: 11:50 am
Phoenix Suns interim coach Jay Triano argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Phoenix Suns will interview Jay Triano for their open head coaching position on Thursday, reports 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro.
Triano just wrapped the 2017-18 season as Phoenix’s interim coach and led the team to a 21-58 record after it fired head coach Earl Watson three games into the year.
Youth and injuries to leading scorers Devin Booker and T.J. Warren hampered the Suns down the stretch. Heading into February, they were 18-34 but went 3-27 in the final 2.5 months of the season.
Suns general manager Ryan McDonough has said since the middle of the season that he would consider Triano in the team’s search for its next coach and gave Triano preparation time for his interview after the season ended.
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“I think the one thing that I did here and tried to do is have open lines of communication with the staff — the coaching staff and management,” Triano told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station Tuesday.
“I kind of understand where we’re going as far as an organization. This year was about developing the players and it’s time to expedite that.”
Phoenix is also expected to interview former Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale, former Magic coach Frank Vogel and former Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford in the search. The team reportedly already met with Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer on Monday and Tuesday, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Under the interim Triano, who joined Watson’s Suns staff as a lead assistant in 2016, Phoenix showed promise running a more motion-heavy offense but nonetheless finished the year with the worst offensive and defensive ratings in the NBA.
The Suns did, however, show signs of improving young players like rookie Josh Jackson and Marquese Chriss under Triano’s coaching. Jackson scuffled in his first few months as a pro before a talk with Triano served as a catalyst to improved play.
Chriss responded by shedding extra weight that held him back in the first half of the year.
Triano, 59, has prior head coaching experience. He coached two full seasons in Toronto after taking the job full-time in 2009, leading the Raptors to 40-42 and 22-60 seasons before being fired. He spent the next five years with the Portland Trail Blazers as an assistant before joining the Phoenix staff.
He compiled a combined 108-200 record in his two head coaching positions.
