Suns tap 76ers assistant Monty Williams as new…
Suns tap 76ers assistant Monty Williams as new coach
Considered one of the frontrunners for Lakers job, Williams chooses Phoenix
The Phoenix Suns hired Monty Williams Friday. (AP File Photo/Gerald Herbert)
PUBLISHED: May 3, 2019 at 10:05 am | UPDATED: May 3, 2019 at 10:06 am
PHOENIX (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers assistant Monty Williams will be the new coach of the Phoenix Suns, replacing Igor Kokoskov, who was fired last week after one disappointing season.
The Suns announced Friday that they had come to terms with Williams, who will join Phoenix after the 76ers complete their run in the NBA playoffs.
The 47-year-old Williams has previous head coaching experience, spending five seasons in charge in New Orleans from 2010 to 2015, a stint during which he led the franchise to two postseason appearances. He is in his first season as an assistant coach with the 76ers. He also played nine years in the NBA.
Williams takes over a team that has been mired in mediocrity, missing the playoffs for nine straight seasons. The Suns finished 19-63 this season, Kokoskov's only season in the desert.
ESPN had reported this week that Williams was the first choice of the Lakers. That leaves former Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue as the frontrunner. Lue took the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals three straight years with the star who is now with the Lakers: LeBron James.
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