Latest news with #Gambadoro
Newsweek
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Suns Cut List of Head Coach Candidates to Four
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Phoenix Suns are currently looking for their fourth head coach in as many seasons under team majority owner Mat Ishbia, sources inform John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix. Gambadoro initially reported that Miami Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn and Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coaches Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott had all made the cut. Not accurate. It is down to four. Chris Quinn, Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott I can confirm through various sources are in the Final Four. — John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) May 27, 2025 Later, Gambadoro revealed that Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Sean Sweeney is slated to interview for the gig on Weds., which when correlated with Gambadoro's previous reporting suggests that Sweeney is the fourth contender. Hearing Dallas assistant Sean Sweeney is heading to Phoenix to interview in person for the head coaching job tomorrow. — John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) May 27, 2025 Multiple sources inform Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, however, that Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori is also still a candidate. Rankin lists three names that overlap with Gambadoro's reporting: Quinn, Ott and Sweeney. More Phoenix Suns News: Kevin Durant May Have Fueled Trade Rumors With Latest Comments Phoenix initially had been looking at between 15 and 20 contenders for the job. This past weekend, the club concluded Zoom interviews with a group of nine finalists, according to Gambadoro. Second round of interviews for Suns head coaching job just finished up - most still on zoom. In next day or two finalists will be told and in person meetings scheduled. — John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) May 25, 2025 The Suns have undergone many a transformation since billionaire mortgage lender Ishbia purchased a 57 percent controlling stake in the franchise — and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury — mostly from disgraced former owner Robert Sarver in Feb. 2023. When Ishbia purchased the club, it had recently acquired 15-time All-Star power forward Kevin Durant, pairing him with 12-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul and four-time All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker, plus athletic center Deandre Ayton, in an effort to return to the NBA Finals following a disappointing second round upset the previous season. PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 16: Owner Mat Ishbia of the Phoenix Suns answers questions from the media during a press conference introducing Kevin Durant at Footprint Center on February 16, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 16: Owner Mat Ishbia of the Phoenix Suns answers questions from the media during a press conference introducing Kevin Durant at Footprint Center on February 16, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo byInstead, Phoenix was ousted in the second round once again, this time by the eventual champion Denver Nuggets. The Suns fired 2022 Coach of the Year Monty Williams that summer, replacing him with Frank Vogel — who had just won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers two years prior. Paul and Ayton were traded away in the offseason, and the Suns made a questionable trade for pricey, oft-hurt former All-Star guard Bradley Beal. This reconfigured Suns club under Vogel was solid, but didn't quite set the world on fire as all three stars dealt with health issues. Vogel, a defense-first coach, was seen as an awkward fit with the team's offense-first stars. More Phoenix Suns News: Suns Make Dramatic Front Office Change Following Disappointing 2024-25 Season Phoenix went 49-33 in 2023-24 and finished with the Western Conference's No. 6 seed, but got destroyed in a four-game first round playoff sweep by the West Finals-bound Minnesota Timberwolves that spring. Ishbia subsequently canned Vogel in the offseason, bringing in 2019 Coach of the Year and 2021 champion ex-Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer for 2024-25. This past regular season was an unmitigated disaster. Despite Durant and Booker being relatively healthy, the Suns had absolutely no on-court chemistry together. Phoenix went 36-46 and missed the postseason entirely. Budenholzer was given the boot. All these finalists are unproven as head coaches, but are well-respected as longtime assistants. What Phoenix wants to do with the contracts of Durant and Beal going forward remains to be seen, but it's quite possible the Suns roster will look very different by the time this new coach actually starts overseeing regular season games. More Phoenix Suns News: Suns Reportedly Have Huge Roster Priority This Offseason Suns' Kevin Durant Reportedly Eyeing Trade to Western Conference Squad For more NBA news and rumors, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Are the Suns' offseason moves signaling the end of the Kevin Durant era?
(This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) The Phoenix Suns are facing a potential shakeup as their season spirals toward disappointment. Kevin O'Connor from "The Kevin O'Connor Show" has scrutinized the Suns' position, noting their current standing as the 11th seed in the Western Conference despite having a roster full of talent, including Kevin Durant. The real question is whether the Suns are ready to cut ties with Durant after a tumultuous season. John Gambadoro, a notable Phoenix sports radio host, has expressed skepticism about the Suns' chances this season following several high-profile trades. The team, already dealing with a brutal schedule, has been struggling to find success despite its star-studded lineup. Gambadoro highlighted that the Suns have had difficulty integrating new additions successfully, leading to a team hampered by underperformance and inconsistency. When the Suns traded for Durant, it was meant to be a breakthrough moment. Yet, as Gambadoro remarked, 'This team is terrible defensively,' pointing out their inability to contest open threes in recent games. The roster adjustments, including the controversial trade for Bradley Beal that failed to align with the team's needs, have not paid off. Durant's leadership — or lack thereof — has also been called into question. With Chris Paul's absence, the Suns have lacked a commanding presence on the court. Durant's individual play hasn't translated into team success, raising concerns about his fit and influence. Looking forward, the Suns' options are constrained by their previous trades and financial commitments. O'Connor emphasized that the Suns, with a $450 million payroll, are precariously positioned. They need young assets and draft picks to revitalize their prospects, but their current strategy and standing jeopardize this. Trading Durant could provide the Suns with a haul of young players and draft picks, facilitating a softer rebuild around Devin Booker. However, the gravity of such a move cannot be understated. It would signify a substantial pivot from the initial championship aspirations when acquiring Durant. Still, the presence of teams like Houston, armed with the Suns' draft picks, complicates any plans Phoenix might entertain regarding tanking or a comprehensive rebuild. As Gambadoro pointed out, 'This is it. If they don't win this year, they have no choice but to try to trade Durant.' If the Suns choose to move on from Durant, they must navigate the offseason with care. Potential trades would need to bring back viable assets without hampering long-term flexibility. The outcome of this season could catalyze these discussions, forcing Phoenix to reassess its trajectory and long-term outlook. Yet, the Suns aren't the only team at a crossroads. Durant's departure could signal a shift in power dynamics across the Western Conference. Teams like the Golden State Warriors or the Brooklyn Nets might see opportunity where the Suns see liquidation. Phoenix's decisions in the coming months will have significant repercussions, reshaping the narrative around both the franchise and Durant's legacy. With the playoffs becoming a rapidly fading dream, the Suns must decide if the Durant dilemma is a turning point or the end of an era.
