Phoenix Suns: 5 candidates to be the long-term head coach
3. Monty Williams
Mark Jackson’s firing was unexpected, but Monty Williams‘ time with the New Orleans Pelicans also came to an unceremonious and unfair end in retrospect. After being an assistant with the Portland Trail Blazers for five years, he was put in charge of the New Orleans Hornets.
Williams would only go 173-221 (.439) over the next five seasons there, but he helped Anthony Davis reach his first playoff series in 2015, and it’s worth mentioning the Pelicans haven’t made it back since.
Sources: Illinois willing to make Monty Williams one of NCAA’s top paid coaches, but he'll pass. He’s focused on prompt NBA coaching return.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 11, 2017
Again, a hire like this isn’t meant to find the Suns a championship-caliber head coach. They simply need a competent one who can shepherd this young flock, but also one that’s expendable for the day this roster is experienced enough to start making playoff pushes again and needs a more deft hand.
Monty Williams checks all of those boxes, and he’s reportedly focused on returning to the NBA. This wouldn’t be a glamorous partnership for either side, but both might benefit from a potential union depending on what options are available by the end of the season.