The NBA coaching carousel is going to be in full effect this offseason. Numerous established, successful coaches have found themselves back on the unemployment line as multiple teams are looking to shake things up on the sidelines.
One of the coaches who were fired recently was Monty Williams. The Phoenix Suns decided it was time to part ways with him after four seasons on the job. Another embarrassing loss at home to be eliminated in the Western Conference semifinal ultimately did him in.
In back-to-back years, the Suns trailed by 30 points at halftime of an elimination game at Footprint Center. In 2022, it was in Game 7 against the Dallas Mavericks and this year it was Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Monty Williams & Phoenix Suns Updates
After making a trade at the deadline to acquire Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets, the Suns were left a little short-handed on depth at a few spots. That depth was tested even more when Chris Paul was forced to the sidelines with a groin injury and Deandre Ayton missed Game 6 with a deep rib contusion that made breathing difficult.
One of the players who was traded in the Durant deal, Mikal Bridges, recently spoke about Williams being fired. He took a shot at his old team for the decision to move on from Williams during a recent appearance on The Pivot Podcast.
“He’s going to get through it,” Bridges said on The Pivot Podcast (via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic). “He knows he’s a hell of a coach. He probably knows about the situation. Me personally, I say Monty is not the problem, but who am I? … Monty’s not the problem, but he’s going to be great somewhere else. He’s going to get another chance and he’s going to be alright.”
Those are some scathing remarks by Bridges, who has some intimate knowledge of how things are running with the Suns after spending the first 4.5 seasons of his career in the desert. He is confident Williams will find success elsewhere and he is likely on the right track with that.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Monty Williams & Phoenix Suns Updates
The head coaching market this offseason is loaded with excellent candidates, but Williams’ market is already heating up. It would not be surprising if he landed another high-profile job this offseason as multiple contenders have openings at the head coaching position.
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