Phoenix Suns: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 exit interviews

5. The head coaching search is underway

Back in late March, ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Suns were getting started with their search for a full-time head coach in a process that involved interim Jay Triano. According to McDonough himself, that process is quickly starting to take shape.

Though it doesn’t sound like the Suns have conducted any official interviews yet, the GM said they’ve already begun reaching out to coaching agents and agencies to whittle down their list of possible candidates.

"” I feel like we have that grouping in place now and today we’ll finish up with the exit meetings with our final few players,” McDonough said. “As of this afternoon and tonight, we’re full into the coaching search.”"

After handing interim head coach Earl Watson the full-time gig in 2016 and watching that blow up in their faces, the Suns plan to conduct a more thorough and robust search that could include current NBA coaches, NBA assistants and college coaches.

According to McDonough, they plan to have the position filled before the NBA Draft Lottery, which will be held on May 16. Despite finishing with the league’s worst record, he believes the Suns’ vacancy is still an attractive job for potential candidates, and not just because of Devin Booker.

"“It was a tough year in terms of wins and losses, there’s no question about that,” McDonough said. “I think we have a lot of young talent. I think there’s only one way to go from here. I really believe that. I think we have the opportunity to make rapid improvements over the next year or two. So if I were a coaching candidate, that would be exciting to me.”"

As for Booker himself, the 21-year-old phenom noted that he’s not a GM and has gotten along with all three head coaches he’s had in his career. The NBA is more of a player’s league in his view, but he mentioned that Triano was good to him.

As for Triano himself, he wouldn’t make a public pitch for his case to get the job.

"“”I don’t want to get into that right now, honestly,” he said. “The only thing I’ll say is that over the course of the year, I don’t think you get anything better than a live audition. I am who I am, I’m not really going to change a whole lot. I think there are a lot of things that I can get better at and things that I will change, but for the most part, you kind of get who I am.”"

Through Booker’s first three years, the young star has had as many head coaches as Harry Potter had Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers. In a more exhaustive process, the Suns need to nail this hire and bring a touch of stability, basketball I.Q. and player development to a young team in need of guidance. At the very least, they’re getting a head start on the competition.