Having a holdover from the previous staff help. With him going through an entire training camp with the team, Phoenix will have a better feel for how to play next season. 9 trade deadline.ĭurant missed 10 games after twisting his left ankle during pregame warmups March 8 before what would’ve been his home debut. The Suns only got eight games with Durant in the regular season after trading Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, four first round draft picks and a pick swap to Brooklyn for T.J. Whether the Suns maintain their roster though free agency remains to be seen, but as of right now, they have four players who provide a foundation for a championship contender. Paul and Durant are viewed as two players with extensive basketball minds to rival any coach. He’ll now coach the Suns who have vocal players in Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and Deandre Ayton. Vogel played a role with keeping the Lakers motivated. Vogel coached LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Rajon Rondo in winning a championship under challenging circumstances in the bubble, where the players were isolated from friends and family amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Vogel has compiled an 431-389 record in 11 seasons as an NBA head coach, reached the playoffs seven times as a head coach, but his ability to build relationships with players with strong personalities and earn their trust was huge for the Suns, in placing him atop their wish list. The next season, they finished first in defensive rating. The 2019-20 champion Lakers ranked third in that category. Three of Vogel’s teams finished first in the league in defensive rating while two ranked third. Sources told The Republic the Suns see the 49-year-old Vogel as a great guy and winner with tremendous work ethic who places high priority on defense. The finalists met with Ishbia and Suns president of basketball operations and general manager, James Jones, in Michigan. The 43-year-old billionaire bought the Suns and WNBA's Phoenix Mercury for a record $4 billion. New team owner Mat Ishbia is from Birmingham, Michigan, as his company, United Wholesale Mortgage, is based in Pontiac, Michigan. The Suns interviewed the finalists in Michigan last week after doing zoom interviews with 10 to 12 candidates, sources told The Republic. Philadelphia never advanced past the conference semifinals in its three seasons under Rivers. The 76ers let go of Rivers after losing to the second-seeded Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Raptors parted ways with Nurse after finishing 41-41 this season and missing the playoffs after losing to Chicago in the play-in tournament. Vogel was fired two seasons later after going 33-49 in 2021-22. Nurse won his in 2019 with the Raptors followed by Vogel in 2020 with the Lakers in the Orlando Bubble. Rivers coached the Celtics to the 2008 championship. They identified Vogel, Nurse and Rivers as candidates who won titles as coaches. The Suns went into the process looking for a coach with championship experience. The Pistons and Williams have agreed to a six-year, $78.5-million deal, making him the highest-paid coach in NBA history. 1-seeded Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals. Vogel replaced Monty Williams, who was fired after losing Game 6 to the No. Vogel is scheduled to have his introductory press conference early next week at Footprint Center. On Friday, Phoenix agreed to terms with Vogel on a five-year, $31-million deal. The 76ers landed Nurse on Monday and had their introductory press conference Thursday. Nurse interviewed with Philadelphia and Phoenix last week. Suns associate head coach Kevin Young, Kings assistant Jordi Fernandez, Doc Rivers, Nurse and Vogel were the finalists. Sources told The Republic Vogel was the Suns’ first choice of the five finalists for their vacant head-coaching position. Philadelphia got Nick Nurse, but Frank Vogel was always the guy Phoenix wanted. View Gallery: The Phoenix Suns have hiredformer Lakers' coach Frank Vogel as their new head coach.
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