Massive Changes Are Coming for the Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns' season is officially over, and changes are already underway.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Suns have dismissed one front office executive and two scouts. No specific names were mentioned in the report.
The Suns were bounced out of the second round of the postseason in back-to-back years now, embarrassed at home in an elimination game. Departing the postseason early again was reason enough to make swift changes, but the failure to capitalize on the talents of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant further emphasize the need to turn things around in the Valley - quickly.
Are massive changes coming? It sure feels like it.
We'll start at the top with Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who took over the team just a few months ago. This will be his first offseason to really put his financial fingerprints on the squad.
That could potentially begin with conversations surrounding the status of general manager James Jones - though his acquisition of Durant could ensure he's onboard next season. From the outside it feels as if his job is safer than others, though anything is on the table after how his assembled pieces to the puzzle panned out.
Which leads us to our next candidate: Head coach Monty Williams. Williams has been at the helm of the Suns' success in the last three years, which includes a trip to the NBA Finals and the best regular season in franchise history. Both campaigns ended with a blown 2-0 series lead.
After the most recent postseason disappointment, there's heavy speculation that Williams could be out. That feels odd to say about a recent NBA Coach of the Year, but the clock is officially ticking in Phoenix, and there's serious belief that changes could be made with real Mark Jackson/Golden State Warriors vibes.
It's not as if coaching was the only issue. Nearly everybody aside Durant and Booker either disappointed or failed to make an impact in the postseason, opening plenty of eyes to Phoenix's lack of depth/quality behind their two stars.
That was the gamble the Suns took in the short term, yet this offseason brings opportunity to better mold Phoenix's squad around their two stars.
Currently, nine players are set to hit free agency in some fashion. However, two prominent names still under contract are receiving the most noise about playing elsewhere.
ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported the Suns are expected to heavily pursue a trade for Deandre Ayton, which comes as no surprise considering how the two sides have strayed from each other. Ayton and members of the Suns can operate however they like in public, it's hard to believe things are the same prior to last year's Game 7 where Ayton was benched and Williams clearly voiced his frustration with his No. 1 pick.
MacMahon also reported Chris Paul is likely to play elsewhere. The Suns have been heavily connected to a few different names through the season in hopes of upgrading (in terms of style and age) the point guard position. One of the names that's been floated out there has been Kyrie Irving, someone the Suns maintained interest in before and after acquiring Durant.
"I would certainly anticipate they aggressively shop Chris Paul before that June 28 deadline that would guarantee his salary from $15.8 [million] to $30.8 [million]. I think it is pretty likely that Chris Paul is elsewhere next year," said MacMahon.
It figures to be a fairly active summer in Phoenix - from top to bottom. Changes are coming.
