PHOENIX – The search across the NBA for the Phoenix Suns’ 23rd head coach in franchise history has begun. The hunt is still early but reports have indicated that new general manager Brian Gregory is looking for a first-time head coach to lead the Suns next season. NBA Insider Marc Stein has already listed off multiple assistants around the league that Phoenix will look into in the coming weeks.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!“The list of known candidates includes some still working in the playoffs (Cleveland’s Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott, Houston’s Royal Ivey and Oklahoma City’s Dave Bliss) and some who are already available (such as Miami’s Chris Quinn and the Dallas duo of Sean Sweeney and Jared Dudley),”
However, Stein reported that the team has “weighed pulling some candidates into its search who do have NBA head coaching experience,” which includes New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego and Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Dave Joerger.
Two Former NBA head coaches entering Suns’ job hunt:
Feb 24, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego against the Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Borrego coached the Charlotte Hornets from 2018-2022, where he lead the organization to an 138-163 record. The 47-year was out of the league for three years before joining Pelicans head coach Willie Green’s staff for this past season. The 14-year NBA coach veteran has the experience that makes him a viable option for the Suns job.
Oct 1, 2018; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Dave Joerger looks on during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Joerger has two three-year stints as an NBA head coach. The first occur from 2013-2016 with the Memphis Grizzlies. In his first two years with the franchise, he coaches the team to back-to-back 50-win seasons. Joerger finished his final season with the Grizzlies with a 42-40 record, before being fired that offseason after being swept in the playoffs.
The Sacramento Kings quickly hired Joerger to coach for them from 2016-2019. The 51-year-old struggled in his first two years with the organization, having a combined record of 59-105. However, in the 2018-2019 season, Joerger led the Kings to a 39-43 record, its best record since 2006. Despite the success, Sacramento fired Joerger, and he hasn’t gotten another opportunity as a head coach.
Jun 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devon Booker sits with Phoenix Mercury owner Mat Ishbia during the game between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Suns could swoop in and give Joerger another chance at being a head coach, after having a short lease in his previous two stops. Regardless, interviewing candidates with head coaching experience makes sense for Gregory to cover all the ground to ensure the Suns hire the best person for the job.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
