The Phoenix Suns fired Monty Williams after a second straight lackluster elimination game performance in the playoffs.
A new coach will immediately enter with expectations to compete for a championship with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant headlining the roster.
Three big-name candidates lead the way in next coach odds for the Phoenix Suns, with former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse and ex-Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer instituted as the early favorites.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue has also seen his name connected to the opening, while Phoenix associate head coach Kevin Young rounds out the top four candidates, per DraftKings odds on May 16:
- Nick Nurse +300
- Mike Budenholzer +300
- Tyronn Lue +400
- Kevin Young +600
Arizona Sports radio host John Gambadoro recently suggested the Suns would not pursue Nurse or Budenholzer, which is something to consider since Gambadoro has contacts within the organization.
If neither of the two favorites are truly in the running, a longshot payout could be lucrative if a bettor can nail the next coach of the Suns.
Lue has been expected to return to the Clippers, although veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein said the Suns may explore the feasibility of luring him to Phoenix.
If one of those three aren’t the choice, the Suns could turn to Young, 41, who has been the lead assistant in Phoenix for the past two seasons. However, he is also expected to get consideration from the Bucks. Raptors, and possibly others with coaching openings.
There was a recent report by Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix that Phoenix has a list of up to 10 candidates on a preliminary list.
Beyond the top four, there is an interesting collection of longshot candidates, including former star Phoenix point guard Steve Nash, former coach Mike D’Antoni and current GM James Jones.
New Suns owner Mat Ishbia went to Michigan State, and his ties to former Detroit Pistons great Isiah Thomas and Spartans coach Tom Izzo have resulted in them landing on the list of next coach odds at DraftKings.
Here are the rest of the candidates to become the next coach of the Phoenix Suns, though there is always the possibility that others could be added to the board once more reports and speculation make their way into the public sphere during the coaching search.
- Frank Vogel +1200
- Kenny Atkinson +1400
- Jarrett Jack +1400
- Charles Lee +1600
- Mike D’Antoni +3000
- Sam Cassell +3000
- Chris Quinn +3000
- Steve Nash +5000
- Mark Jackson +5000
- Dave Joerger +5000
- Becky Hammon +5000
- Tom Izzo +7500
- James Jones +7500
- Isiah Thomas +7500
- Stan Van Gundy +7500
- Jeff Van Gundy +7500
