Monty Williams Said He Cried When Suns Traded Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson
PHOENIX -- Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams is known for a few things.
His arrival to Phoenix helped turn the Suns around nearly immediately, making a run to the NBA Finals before setting a franchise record for regular season wins the following season. Williams added Coach of the Year honors in 2021-22 and hopes to continue elevating the organization this postseason.
Yet Williams is well admired and respected far beyond his success on the court. Williams is personable and isn't afraid to speak on issues and topics close to his heart. He's made himself available as more than a coach when speaking with reporters, and the relationship with his players extends far beyond that.
So it was a bit emotional all around when the Suns landed Kevin Durant in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, a deal that sent fan favorites Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges to replace Durant in Brooklyn.
It was a move that needed to be done, but many will tell you the cost of losing players such as Bridges and Johnson extends far beyond the court.
in an interview with ESPN's Nick Friedell, Williams revealed that he cried when Phoenix traded Bridges/Johnson at the trade deadline.
"If I was going to lose Cam and Mikal, it better be for Kevin," Williams said. "You know what I mean? It's like you're crying in one eye and then the other eye is kind of bright. That's the only time in my coaching that I've cried [after a trade].
"None of us went back to bed that night. I called Mikal, I called Cam, and they had been up with the players."
The Suns hope they can make good on the Durant trade by eventually winning the NBA Finals. Game 3 is tonight vs. the Los Angeles Clippers at 7:30 PM PST.
