Report: Coaching candidate Monty Williams, Suns expected to meet again

Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Monty Williams this week will interview for a second time with the Phoenix Suns as they continue their head-coaching search, reports Stadium’s Shams Charania. Suns owner Robert Sarver is expected to attend the meeting.

“This is an an important development because it means the Suns are taking the next step in a pursuit for Williams, who has also been targeted by the Lakers and potentially other teams,” Charania said.

The Suns flew out to Toronto, where the 76ers were preparing for their second-round playoff series, and met with Williams on Friday. The team then flew to Portland and met with Trail Blazers assistants Nate Tibbetts and David Vanterpool.

Williams has five years of head coaching experience with New Orleans. He went 173-221 (.439) from 2010-15, making the playoffs twice and losing in the first round both times.

Following his stint with New Orleans, Williams joined the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2015-16 but left the team after his wife’s death from a car accident. Williams eventually joined the San Antonio Spurs front office as vice president of basketball operations before landing as an assistant coach with the 76ers this year.

Phoenix general manager James Jones played for Williams when Williams was an assistant on Portland’s coaching staff during the 2007-08 season, and senior VP of basketball operations Jeff Bower was Williams’ boss in New Orleans. Bower hired Williams in 2010 as the GM but left the team shortly afterward.

Williams has reportedly already met with the Lakers twice but, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, entered as the Suns’ top target.

Vanterpool and Tibbetts, meanwhile, have been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ job opening.

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