Report: Suns Owner Mat Ishbia Disliked Monty Williams
For the first time in years, the Phoenix Suns are in search of a new head coach.
Monty Williams is no longer the man in charge for the Suns after being dismissed just two days following Phoenix's early exit in the NBA postseason.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski says Suns owner Mat Ishbia "never really took to Williams" in his latest report:
"I've been told that Mat Ishbia - the new Phoenix Suns owner - never really took to Monty Williams from the time he was approved as owner. Right away, made the Kevin Durant trade with Brooklyn, which he largely negotiated and executed himself. After that 30-point loss in Game 6 to Denver it was Mat Ishbia again - who effectively is running and overseeing basketball operations, general manager James Jones' influence has been diminished. This is a Mat Ishbia production right now and this is a move that comes with risk.
"Monty Williams who ressurected this Suns franchise, they were a laughing stock before he took over. Coach of the Year, led them to the NBA Finals, franchise record 64 wins two seasons ago. Without Chris Paul, without Deandre Ayton in that Game 6 lose to the No. 1 seed Nuggets. Three years, over $20 million left on Monty Williams' contract.
"They have a team now in Phoenix that is going to be very limited... of how they can build off this roster. Monty Williams knew that once that Kevin Durant trade happened, there was additional/significant pressure on him.
"Now there's pressure on Mat Ishbia and this Phoenix organization as they go out into the marketplace. You can expect them to pursue big names. I don't think they're bringing in an assistant coach or somebody who hasn't been a head coach to coach Durant. Booker, potentially Chris Paul and that team.
"I think you look at names potentially like Nick Nurse, Mike Budenholzer to start with among coaches who are available and are championship coaches. But this is a decision that comes with a lot of risk for Mat Ishbia - Monty Williams is considered and has proven to be one of the elite coaches in the league."
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