The Phoenix Suns reportedly trimmed the list of candidates for their head coaching job. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the franchise has settled on four names, including ex-Philadelphia 76ers’ head coach Doc Rivers and ex-Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse.
Rivers and Nurse would bring championship pedigree to the Suns’ locker room, something that the franchise prioritized during their search. However, they will also consider a couple of up-and-coming coaching stars in Sacramento Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernandez and their own associate head coach Kevin Young.
All four candidates are expected to have a second round of interviews with Suns’ brass in the coming days.
The Suns are expected to face a lot of competition for Nurse, who already attracted interest from multiple franchises with head coaching openings. He is considered a strong candidate to take over the Milwaukee Bucks while also being interviewed by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Rivers, on the other hand, reportedly considered taking a break from coaching but is attracted by the possibility of coaching a talented Suns team led by All-Stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
The Suns are looking for a new head coach since firing Monty Williams following a disappointing 2022-23 campaign. Despite acquiring superstar Durant in a trade deadline deal with the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix flamed out in the postseason, being eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in six games in the Western Conference semifinals.
