The Oklahoma City Thunder might lose a valuable part of their coaching staff this offseason, which is the price that talented teams have to pay as bottom-feeders poach their support staff.
As the Phoenix Suns look for a replacement for Mike Budenholzer, their third coach in as many seasons, the organization has identified five top candidates. One of them is Oklahoma City Thunder coach David Bliss.
Suns star Kevin Durant being guarded by Thunder counterpart Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Suns star Kevin Durant being guarded by Thunder counterpart Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Bliss has been on the Thunder's staff since 2018, starting as a player development coach. Before that, he was an assistant with his alma mater, the Georgia Bulldogs, as well as VCU, the German National Team, and the New York Knicks.
He got his start in the NBA as a video coordinator for the Thunder before being promoted to a coach with the Knicks.
Bliss was the head coach of Team Kenny Smith at the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, which was headlined by Jalen Brunson. Team Smith lost in the first round of the four-team tournament to a roster full of international talent.
Bliss never played pro ball, although he was a four-year starter for the University of Georgia from 2004-08. As a center, he averaged 5.8 points and 4.4 rebounds, and lost to Xavier in his lone March Madness appearance.
All of the Suns' candidates have never been a head coach before, suggesting that the organization, finally, will be patient and will try to build organically.
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