Suns Reportedly 'Expected to Narrow' List of HC Candidates This Week amid NBA Rumors
The Phoenix Suns reportedly are closing in on their next head coach.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported the team is "expected to narrow their list of coaching candidates to three or so finalists" this week. Stein noted a handful of possible candidates, including Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn and Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney.
The Suns fired head coach Mike Budenholzer in April after his first season at the helm.
Stein added that Cleveland's Jordan Ott remains in the mix and could have a leg up in the coaching search because of his alma mater. Ott, a veteran assistant in the NBA, got his start at Michigan State, the same alma mater as Suns owner Matt Ishbia, a fact that Stein said "cannot be discounted."
According to Stein, Minnesota's Micah Nori and Oklahoma City's Dave Bliss have reached the second round of interviews while still coaching their respective teams in the Western Conference Finals.
Nori has 15 years of experience as an assistant and is due to make the jump to a head coaching gig. Bliss doesn't bring the same experience, but has helped turn the Thunder into arguably the best team in the NBA this season.
Steve Hetzel, current assistant for the Brooklyn Nets, is also a candidate for the Suns' job and, like Ott, has the benefit of being a Michigan State alum on his side.
Cleveland's Johnnie Bryant, New Orleans' James Borrego and Suns assistant David Fizdale are all in the mix as well, according to Stein.
Whoever Phoenix ends up with, the Suns are hoping to finally find a long-term option after being a revolving door for coaches for much of the last decade. The team has had three head coaches in as many years and has had seven different coaches since 2015.
In that span, Monty Williams was the only coach to last more than one full season.
While the Suns look for their next head coach, they'll also get into what should be a pivotal offseason. Star Devin Booker is reportedly the centerpiece of the organization, but players like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal could be on the move this summer.
