“Embarrassing season, right?” This is all the Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia was able to say about his team’s terrible performance. It was a season to forget for the Suns, who not only failed to secure a place in the playoffs but had arguably the most disappointing campaign in their history. Despite possessing the ‘Big Three’ trio consisting of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, they finished the season with a 36-46 record.

Watching this misery unfold in Arizona, the changes were inevitable. It all started with Phoenix cutting loose its ties with head coach Mike Budenholzer after just a single season. It seems Mat Ishiba and Co. have hit the reset button for the upcoming season.

After two grueling years, the Phoenix Suns have come to terms with the fact that changes are to be made. So, what’s better than finding a new man to lead the team from the front? According to NBA Insider Chris Haynes, the Suns have begun their search for a new head coach.

There are a lot of good names up for grabs, given, this season has been full of surprise firings and trades. However, they’ll have to narrow down their search, and Chris Haynes believes that there are five names out of whom we could be seeing the one coaching the team from the desert. But who are they?

The Phoenix Suns shortlist five coaches as their hunt for an HC begins

We are all aware of the changes that might be coming toward the Phoenix roster, but for now, the team’s focusing on finding a new head coach. Well, the Suns don’t have the best of times when we talk about finding a suitable man for the job. They right now have three head coaches getting paid over a whopping $80 million to not coach the team. This comes as a result of them firing Monty Williams, Frank Vogel, and the newest one to join them, Mike Budenholzer. So, the front office will have to be extremely cautious while finalizing their next boss to lead Devin Booker and Co.

According to Chris Haynes, “We’re going to start with Dallas Mavericks’ assistant Sean Sweeney, a longtime assistant. He’s somebody who was well-respected across the league. Spent time with multiple stars. He understands the relationship dynamic that takes… So Sean Sweeney has advanced to the second round.” He stated on his podcast, ‘Haynes Briefs‘.

Dallas’ assistant coach Sean Sweeney is believed to be one of the names among the mix. The Mavs coach has plenty of experience dealing with stars through his time in Texas. So, he could be a right fit for the Suns, who seem to be lacking in that department.

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However, let’s not skip to any conclusions just yet. There are also several other well-experienced coaches on Phoenix’s radar alongside Sweeney. One of the most notable of them is the Franchise’s own assistant coach, David Fizdale. The 50-year-old has extensive experience both as a manager and a coach.

He’s worked for several franchises, including the Knicks, Lakers, Warriors, and even the Suns. So, he could be someone whom Mat Ishibia and the rest of the Phoenix from the office trust, given they’ve watched him up close. Moreover, a few other names to keep an eye on include OKC assistant, David Bliss, and Kenny Atkinson’s assistant coach, Jordan Ott.

Lastly, the Suns are also keeping tabs on Timberwolves’ assistant coach, Micah Nori. Did you notice something similar in all the players on the Franchise’s radar? Well, all the coaches are quite young and inexperienced in the head coaching department. But why so? “Why so young? Why so inexperienced? When it comes to I guess the head coaching tenure, well, these are some of the things that the Suns are looking for in the next candidate.” Haynes stated. He pointed out that young and hungry coaches are something that the Suns’ front office is looking for.

This answers why there’s no mention of Taylor Jenkins or Michael Malone. Both of whom are available this summer. Will the Suns’ unique strategy pay off? Well, these head coaches might be inexperienced at the head coaching level, but they are right at the door. Moreover, hiring high-profile coaches hasn’t worked out well for the Suns in the past. This might also be a huge factor in why they are heading down a different route this time. It will be interesting to see who takes charge of the helm in Phoenix as they aim to win a championship in the near future.