The Phoenix Suns initial list of candidates for next head coach has started to come together. The initial targets are Suns assistant coach Kevin Young, former Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer and former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse.
The Suns moved on from Monty Williams following their second-round exit against the Los Angeles Lakers. Williams went 194-115 in four seasons as the Phoenix head coach. He led the Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals.
In those Finals, Phoenix lost to Budenholzer’s Bucks. Budenholzer was fired recently as Bucks head coach, despite winning the 2021 title.
Nurse and the Raptors parted ways following his team’s failure to make the playoffs. Nurse is also a prior champion, having led the Raptors to the 2019 title.
Young has been with Phoenix for the last three seasons. He’s considered a rising coaching prospect, as he’s interviewed for head coach opportunities over the last couple of offseasons.
