Phoenix Suns: 5 candidates to replace Igor Kokoskov as head coach

3. Ettore Messina

Ettore Messina has been the Chekov’s Gun of prospective NBA head coaching candidates for years now, but he still has yet to be scooped up by a team with a vacancy. A well-respected assistant of the San Antonio Spurs, this Gregg Popovich disciple has plenty of experience overseas as well.

As a four-time EuroLeague champion, four-time Italian League champion, and five-time Russian League champion, Messina has developed a sterling reputation as a knowledgable basketball coach that isn’t just tied to his time with Pop. If he were to consider leaving the Spurs, the Suns would be foolish not to give him the chance to instill the kind of winning culture in Phoenix that San Antonio has enjoyed for two decades.

However, prying him from such a situation feels unlikely. It’s sad that being the head coach of the Suns is somehow not as attractive as remaining on as an assistant with the Spurs, but it’s true, and that job sets him up as a top candidate to replace Popovich when he finally decides to step away.

Whether Messina simply enjoys being a Spurs assistant too much to leave for a head coaching gig elsewhere or is biding his time to be Pop’s eventual successor, Phoenix would be a ridiculously hard sell given the current state of the franchise. Still, if the goal is to identify worthy candidates, Messina has to be near the top of the wish list.