David Fizdale, James Borrego, Micah Nori, More Reportedly Among Suns HC Candidates
The Phoenix Suns reportedly have several potential internal and external options for the team's head coaching vacancy.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Phoenix is considering Suns assistant coach David Fizdale, Brooklyn Nets assistant Steve Hetzel, Cleveland Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant, Cavs assistant Jordan Ott, Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney and New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego.
Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn is also a candidate, per NBA insider Jake Fischer.
Phoenix is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024-25 season. Despite entering the year with playoff expectations, the Suns finished at No. 11 in the Western Conference standings with a record of 36-46.
Phoenix particularly struggled with stopping opponents, as its 117.7 defensive rating ranked No. 27 in the league during the regular season (via NBA.com).
The team eventually fired head coach Mike Budenholzer on April 14.
Given Kevin Durant's murky future with the organization, the Suns are reportedly committed to rebuilding their roster around star shooting guard Devin Booker moving forward.
Fizdale brings familiarity to the table, as he's served as an assistant for Phoenix over the past two years. He also has head coaching experience with two different organizations, the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks.
Fizdale helped compile a 50-51 record in Memphis before finishing at 21-83 during his tenure with New York.
Borrego is an intriguing candidate, as he also has prior experience at head coach. He operated in the role with the Charlotte Hornets from 2018-22, owning a 138-163 record.
The Hornets finished at 43-39 during his final year with the team, marking their only campaign with a winning record over the past nine seasons.
Nori is a longtime assistant coach, serving as a member of the Timberwolves' staff since 2021. He's interviewed for multiple job openings in the past including the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers.
As the Suns begin to navigate through the offseason, they're reportedly being diligent in their search for a new coach.
