Going into what will be an almost franchise-defining offseason, the Phoenix Suns have some pressing issues to address on their agenda this summer.
Stuck in the Western Conference’s cellar, the Suns will do everything they can to surround their raw, young pieces with additional talent as their rebuild continues. Before any of that though, they will have to make a decision regarding their head coaching job. According to AZ Central’s Scott Bordow, the Suns have already reached out to Vinny Del Negro and Jason Kidd about the position.
Breaking news: Suns have spoke to Jason Kidd and Vinny Del Negro about their coaching job.
— scott bordow (@sbordow) April 23, 2018
After firing Earl Watson early on in the season, Jay Triano has stepped in as interim head coach and earned mixed reviews throughout the campaign. Though players have advocated for Triano to remain the Suns head coach moving forward, a 21-58 record this season has Phoenix exploring elsewhere as well.
Both Vinny Del Negro and Jason Kidd bring a certain level of experience to the table though Kidd was in NBA circles as recent as earlier this year. Kidd was the Milwaukee Bucks head coach for three-plus seasons but the team seemed to underperform every year he was at the helm. Kidd’s first coaching stint in Brooklyn was also shaky for the one year he held the job.
Vinny Del Negro was last a head coach for the LA Clippers in 2012 when they went an impressive 56-26 but was still fired following the season. Del Negro also coached the Chicago Bulls for two seasons, compiling a .500 record of 82-82 over that span.
Both Del Negro and Kidd are just two of the names in the wide range of high-profile coaching options this offseason in the NBA. With plenty of quality candidates available, expect the Suns to do a thorough search before hopefully finding the right fit for their franchise.
