PHOENIX SUNS

Suns remain fixated on Monty Williams but no offer extended

May 1, 2019, 9:19 PM | Updated: May 2, 2019, 8:57 am

(AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)...

(AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

(AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

The Phoenix Suns have their sights narrowed in on who they appear to like most for their next head coach. But it appears they are preparing for other options.

According to The New York Times’ Marc Stein, the Phoenix Suns hiring Sixers assistant Monty Williams is “a scenario gaining real momentum.” Stein also reported that the “Suns’ job will be Monty Williams’ job if he wants it” but added that since Williams has been a hot commodity in head coaching searches he could be “choosy about where he wants to coach next.”

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Williams and Suns owner met in Philadelphia Wednesday night but no offer from Phoenix has been extended. 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro confirmed that, adding the Suns have “other candidates lined up to interview.”

After interviewing with the Los Angeles Lakers, who reportedly also met with Tyronn Lue about their head coaching vacancy, Williams was targeted by the Suns following the dismissal of head coach Igor Kokoskov.

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.

On Tuesday, it was reported the Suns will meet with Williams for a second time this week with owner Robert Sarver present for the meeting. That meeting occurred Wednesday.

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.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Jusuf Nurkic questionable for Suns’ matchup with Thunder; Bradley Beal no longer listed

The Phoenix Suns are listing center Jusuf Nurkic questionable for a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

27 minutes ago

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

18 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

22 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

Suns remain fixated on Monty Williams but no offer extended