The Phoenix Suns are taking their time to identify their next head coach after a period of instability. Having experienced three coaches in the past three seasons, they are prioritizing thorough research.

Marc Stein reports that Phoenix has narrowed its list of potential candidates to nine names, focusing mainly on current assistant coaches. Among them are two from the Western Conference finals: Micah Nori (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Dave Bliss (Oklahoma City Thunder). Nori has been a candidate elsewhere, including a recent pursuit by the Detroit Pistons and served as interim coach when Minnesota’s Chris Finch was sidelined.

The list also features Steve Hetzel (Brooklyn Nets), Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott (Cleveland Cavaliers), Sean Sweeney (Dallas Mavericks), Chris Quinn (Miami Heat), James Borrego (New Orleans Pelicans), and David Fizdale, who was with the Suns this past season.

Unlike their previous hiring strategies which emphasized experienced head coaches with championship backgrounds, the current candidates primarily lack head coaching experience.

The Suns continue to search not only for a coach but also face crucial decisions about their roster dynamics moving forward.