Suns Assistant Linked to Hornets Job Opening

Kevin Young appears to be in demand once again this coaching cycle.

May 5, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns assistant coach Kevin Young against the Denver / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

PHOENIX -- That didn't take long.

ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski broke news early this morning that Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford had decided to step away as the leading man of the franchise after the season - the decision gave Charlotte a head start in identifying lead candidates.

Sources: Among the league’s assistant coaching candidates expected to be considered in the Charlotte process: Sacramento’s Jordi Fernandez, Boston’s Charles Lee, Miami’s Chris Quinn, Phoenix’s Kevin Young, and others.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 3, 2024

Among top candidates happens to be current Phoenix Suns associate head coach Kevin Young, who has been with the franchise since the 2020-21 season

Young received significant praise from players such as Chris Paul throughout his tenure in Phoenix - and has interviewed for multiple head coach positions over the last two seasons.

The teams Young has interviewed for include the Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, and Milwaukee Bucks - all jobs that opened up alongside Phoenix last offseason.

Young was considered the favorite to become the new head coach of the Suns for a time last summer prior to Phoenix bringing in Frank Vogel in an attempt to introduce a new voice in the organization.

Young could have left, but Suns governor Mat Ishbia offered the former lead assistant under Monty Williams a 5-year, $10 million dollar contract to remain on Vogel's staff - and the rest is history.

This year has unfortunately been marred by rumored drama and frequent criticism directed at Young by the fanbase - as Young is reported to be in charge of a Suns offense that hasn't consistently met expectations.

The fates of both Vogel and Young are somewhat in flux at this juncture - so it may be advantageous for Young to start getting feelers out for prospective openings this summer.