The Phoenix Suns’ search for a new coach is beginning to come into focus.
The Suns have narrowed their coaching search to four candidates — who will have final rounds of interviews this week — and two include NBA title-winning coaches Nick Nurse and Doc Rivers, according to a report by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Tuesday.
Two rising stars in the coaching arena — Suns associate head coach Kevin Young and Sacramento Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernandez — also will meet with the Suns’ senior leadership in the final round of interviews, according to ESPN.
Sources told ESPN that Nurse, who led the Raptors to an NBA title in 2019, is also a top candidate for the Bucks’ coaching job.
Golden State Warriors associated coach Kenny Atkinson, who coached the Nets from 2016-2020, and Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin are the other two finalists for the Bucks’ job, and Griffin also interviewed with the 76ers, who recently fired Rivers, according to the website.
Nick NurseAP Phoenix recently fired Monty Williams, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year who was let go despite a successful four-year tenure with the Suns.
He posted a 194-115 record and won 63 percent of his games.
The Suns, who have two big-time stars in Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, are an attractive destination spot for any coach.
But there are question marks regarding the Suns’ roster as veteran’s Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton’s future are in doubt.
Both players missed Game 6 with injuries.
Doc RiversNBAE via Getty ImagesPaul suffered a groin strain and missed Games 2-6 with a groin strain and Ayton sat out Game 6 with a rib contusion.
If the Suns decide to go with Nurse or Rivers, they would be getting a top coach with an impressive resume.
Besides winning an NBA title in 2019, Nurse’s five seasons as the Raptors’ coach also included an NBA Coach of the Year award in 2020 and a 227-163 (.582) record.
As for Rivers, he went 154-82 (.653) in his three seasons with the 76ers, including 54 victories in 2022-23 — the franchise’s most since 2000-01.
