The Phoenix Suns have fired Monty Williams as their head coach and reportedly already have a replacement in mind.
The Suns on Saturday made the decision to part ways with Williams, who had coached the team for four seasons.
NBA reporter Marc Stein susbsequently reported that the organization has its eye on Los Angeles Clippers HC Tyronn Lue as a replacement. Phoenix reportedly will check in with Lue and the Clippers to see about the feasibility of such a move.
Lue has been the Clippers’ head coach for the last three seasons. This time around, the team lost in the first round of the playoffs, as both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were unavailable for several games due to injury concerns.
What's interesting is that two seasons ago, Lue’s Clippers lost in the Western Conference Finals to Williams’ Suns. Now, it would appear the Suns want to replace Williams with the coach who they earlier defeated.
The Suns proved unable to win in the playoffs without two of their top players available (Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton), while the Clippers weren’t able to win the playoffs without their top players available either (Leonard and George). That obviously makes Lue well qualified to do for the Suns what owner Mat Ishbia did not think Williams could do, right?
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