Report: Suns Hire Frank Vogel as Next Head Coach
After roughly two weeks of waiting, the Phoenix Suns have a new coach.
NBA insider Shams Charania is reporting that Frank Vogel will be the next leader of the team.
The move comes in the aftermath following the firing of head coach Monty Williams, who again saw his Suns squad fall in the second round for consecutive seasons. Williams had been with the team since 2019 and led Phoenix to highs such as the 2021 NBA Finals and a franchise record 64 regular season wins.
However, change was bound to come after new owner Mat Ishbia arrived in the middle of the season. He reportedly manufactured the Kevin Durant deal in the winding hours of the trade deadline. After Phoenix's series loss to the Denver Nuggets (where Williams was fired just 48 hours after), reports emerged that Ishbia didn't like Williams from the start.
Vogel will inherit a championship ready roster that features stars such as Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Players such as Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton could possibly be on the roster next season as well, though speculation on both has swirled heavy on potential movement.
He previously won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2020. He has a 814-431 record as a head coach that also includes stints with the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic.
There were several other candidates Phoenix entertained, the most prominent of names was former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, who agreed to lead the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday afternoon.
The Suns also interviewed Kevin Young, Doc Rivers, Jordi Fernandez and Kenny Atkinson for the opening.
