The Phoenix Suns organization was a united front when it came to the decision to fire head coach Monty Williams, which came shortly following the Suns embarrassing Game 6 loss to the Denver Nuggets that eliminated them from the NBA Playoffs and ended their season.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic (h/t Kevin Zimmerman of Arizona Sports), Suns franchise superstars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant were both a part of the decision-making process.
Williams was not formally fired until Saturday.
“I’m told unequivocally this was an organizational decision from owner Mat Ishbia down to management and on down,” The Athletic’s Shams Charania told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta during their sports talk radio shows on Monday. “I do believe … Durant, Booker, these are all guys that were all involved during the process.”
The Suns are set to embark on one of their biggest offseasons in franchise history as they aim to retool a roster around Durant and Booker in hopes of correcting their glaring issues of depth. The process is likely to involve the trading of Deandre Ayton, and perhaps dealing future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul as well.
The Suns have been linked to former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, current associate head coach Kevin Young, and current Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue.
Ayton has three years left on his max deal and is coming off a brutal performance in the playoffs, yet again. Ayton has been at odds with Williams since the 2021 NBA Finals, according to reports, and could be an attractive option for multiple teams this summer.
Paul has a partially-guaranteed contract that could be expendable, most likely as a trade asset.
