The Phoenix Suns currently have the only head coaching vacancy in the NBA, and it looks like their search will be a very comprehensive one.
Veteran NBA writer Marc Stein reported on Sunday that two interesting new names have surfaced in connection to the Suns job — former NBA head coaches James Borrego and Dave Joerger. Stein notes that Phoenix is pulling candidates into their search who have prior experience at the helm.
Borrego, 47, was a two-time champion assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich and then went on to serve as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets from 2018-22. While Borrego only compiled a record of 148-183 (.447) with zero playoff appearances before being fired by Charlotte, he has now returned to a prominent role as the associate head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Meanwhile, Joerger, 51, was head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies from 2013-16 and then of the Sacramento Kings from 2016-19. He has a career record of 245-247 (.498) and three total playoff appearances (all with Memphis). But Joerger has not been a head coach for over a half-decade now, particularly in light of a 2021 health scare. That said, Joerger is now an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks and helped lead them to the NBA Cup title this season.
As for the Suns, they are looking for a new head coach after firing Mike Budenholzer in the wake of a 36-46 season during which they failed to qualify for a 20-team postseason (despite having an NBA-high payroll). Phoenix’s next head coach will be their fourth one within a roughly two-year span (after Budenholzer and his predecessors Monty Williams and Frank Vogel).
The Suns could go in a lot of different directions with their hire. On top of having Borrego and Joerger as options, they have been linked to a currently active NBA head coach as well as to a figure who might help appease their disgruntled star forward Kevin Durant.
