PHOENIX SUNS
Phoenix Suns, head coach Monty Williams agree to multi-year extension
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams signals to his players during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The Phoenix Suns and head coach Monty Williams officially agreed to a long-term contract extension on Wednesday.
“I’m grateful to extend my commitment to this team and to all the people who make it a special place,” Williams said in a statement. “Our players put in the work every day that allows us to be successful, and I’m excited to continue this journey with them. I appreciate the constant effort of our staff and every member of the Suns organization; it is a joy to work alongside them all. Our fans are incredible and have made my family and I feel so welcome in the Valley. I’m thankful for them and look forward to continue to work in the community here.”
“This is a get to, not a got to. It’s a blessing to be head coach of the Phoenix Suns.”
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the extension on Saturday.
Williams still has two years remaining on his original contract and the extension will keep him in the Valley for several seasons, Wojnarowski said.
“Monty has raised the standard for our organization and overseen the transformation of our team’s culture since he joined as head coach three years ago,” Suns general manager James Jones said in the release. “We’re excited to announce this extension and look forward to continuing to build upon this success in the years ahead.”
Taking over as head coach of the Suns prior to the 2019-20 NBA season, Phoenix has seen improvement in every season under the leadership of Williams.
After leading the Suns to an NBA-best 64-18 record last season, Williams was named the NBA’s Coach of the Year. He’s also received the award from the National Basketball Coach’s Association in consecutive seasons.
In the 2020-21 season, Williams led the Suns to the NBA Finals for the first time for the franchise since 1993.
Leading Phoenix for three seasons, the Suns have posted a .656 winning percentage since Williams replaced Igor Kokoskov as head coach.
Williams has also provided Phoenix some stability on the bench, as he’s been the Suns fourth head coach since 2016.
In his first season, the Suns made strides improving to 34 wins from 19 the season prior. Williams was with the Suns in the 2020 NBA Bubble, which would set the tone for the next two seasons.
Now heading into year four, Williams and the Suns will face pressure after an underwhelming playoff performance that saw them getting bounced in the Western Conference semifinals to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Suns will have a similar look next season, with center Deandre Ayton agreeing to a four-year extension, as well as guard Devin Booker inking a long-term extension with Phoenix this summer.
