The NBA might be in the midst of an unpredictable postseason and even crazier NBA Draft, but that doesn't mean the Phoenix Suns are sitting idly by while the action unfolds. If anything the fact that Kevin Durant hasn't played in the playoffs may actually have increased his trade value around the league, as countless other stars fail to light it up when it matters most.
Then there is Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics, and all of the questions that now surround that franchise after his achilles injury. Durant is still likely gone this summer, and the list of teams who should be enquiring about his services continues to grow. Although Giannis Antetokounmpo may emerge as the main prize of this offseason, Durant is looking like an attractive consolation.
Extent of head coach search should give fans reason to hope.
In amongst all of the roster uncertainty right now is the small issue of the Suns not having a head coach, a process that rushed 12 months ago in signing up Mike Budenholzer as quickly as possible. Prior to that - and after a process that didn't seem all that long - it was Frank Vogel who the franchise pinned their coaching hopes on.
Both were veterans who had won a championship in the past, and were hired to lead the Suns back to glory. That didn't happen, while Monty Williams prior to that was also shown the door. You would be forgiven for thinking General Manager Brian Gregory might once again opt for experience in this position, given his own lack of reps in what are his first few weeks proper on the job.
BUZZWORDS COUNTER: Three things are clear from new #Suns GM Brian Gregory…
Alignment
Identity
Vision pic.twitter.com/kOO4S8Khp8
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) May 7, 2025
Yet The Arizona Republic were informed by their sources this week that the search for the next leading man has already been as extensive as hoped for, with no fewer than 15 individuals having already been interviewed. You can think what you want about Gregory and owner Mat Ishbia, this is a welcome change of pace for the organization.
Ishbia's time in charge so far has seen him swing wildly for Durant and Bradley Beal, giving up valuable playoff performers such as Mikal Bridges in the process. All of the talk about the next hire had been about how the Suns were leaning towards a younger head coach - most likely with no previous experience leading a team in the league - although it remains to be seen if that will be the case.
But to have spoken with so many individuals at this point in the process shows that they are learning from past mistakes, and are serious about putting a championship level coaching staff and roster around Devin Booker. As far as anybody can tell Booker has never publicly asked to be traded or wanted to play elsewhere, but that hasn't stopped some early offseason rumors from circulating.
The Suns have already made front office moves this summer prior to bringing in Gregory, with James Jones moving out of the GM position and into a senior advisory role. Ishbia has spoken about finding a "grimy" head coach for 2025-26 and beyond - and if these rumors are anything to go by - they are leaving no stone unturned in that process.