Suns ‘plan to hire Frank Vogel as next head coach’

The Suns are planning on hiring Frank Vogel as the franchise’s next head coach, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The two sides are reportedly working on a long-term deal.

The hiring comes following the ouster of Monty Williams from the organization after the Suns were eliminated in the second round by the Nuggets this postseason.

Williams led the team to the NBA Finals during the 2020-21 season, but Phoenix decided to move on from the coach after it was eliminated from the playoffs in blowout fashion two years running. 

Vogel brings 10 years of head coaching experience with the Pacers, Magic and Lakers, and led LA to a title in the 2019-20 COVID-affected season.

Frank Vogel will look to get the most out of the Suns with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant couldn’t prevent the Suns from an early playoff exit

Monty Williams was shown the door in Phoenix after four years coaching the team

He led a hard-nosed Indiana group to the conference finals twice between 2013-14, though his stay in Orlando lasted just two seasons and featured no playoff berths.

He was fired from LA last year after three seasons when the team missed the playoffs. 

Known for his defensive prowess, the 49-year-old will now take over a Kevin Durant and Devin Booker-led squad that leaked points in the postseason this year.

Only two teams – the (heavily injured) Clippers and Hawks – had worse defensive ratings than Phoenix in these playoffs as Durant and Booker did their best to bail the team out with herculean scoring efforts. 

Phoenix has just four players on fully guaranteed contracts for next season as it enters what could be a transformative summer.

Aside from Vogel’s arrival, 38-year-old Chris Paul could depart and DeAndre Ayton has underwhelmed in the playoffs.