Top 9 Phoenix Suns moments of 2019

#2: Hiring Monty Williams

Generally speaking, when the Los Angeles Lakers come calling, people listen. This was certainly the case when the LeBron James and Anthony Davis led powerhouse needed to fill its vacant head coach position this summer.

There was a short list, consisting of Ty Lue and, well, that’s about it.

However, when it became clear a deal for Ty Lue was not going to happen, the Lakers turned their eyes to Philly assistant, Monty Williams. They spoke with him and were proceeding toward an offer, when the Phoenix Suns jumped in and signed him first.

When the Suns signed Williams to a 5-year deal, it was widely lauded around the league. While Williams didn’t technically choose the Suns over the Lakers (since there was no official offer from the Los Angeles yet), the mere fact the Lakers expressed serious interest in a candidate that chose the Suns lent even more applause to the deal.

After churning through one head coach per year for the past half-decade, the Suns needed stability more than anything. With Williams, they hope to get that, and from all early indications, they will.

Devin Booker calls him, “Real,” which you can interpret as you wish, but his 0.5 system has led to the Suns leading the league in assists per game and overall real improvement for the Suns.

And unlike bringing Ricky Rubio, Aron Baynes, and Cam Johnson into the organization, moves that were chastised at the time yet look good in hindsight, hiring Williams has been a great from day one and might finally give the Suns a head coach that will bring lasting success.