The Phoenix Suns have found their new head coach after the team reportedly hired Frank Vogel, according to several reports. The deal would be a five-year, $31 million deal, according to Athletic’s Shams Charania.
This will be Vogel’s fourth head coaching position after he last coached the Los Angeles Lakers for three seasons from 2019 to 2022, which included an NBA championship during the COVID-19 bubble. Vogel went 127-98 before being fired after the Lakers missed the playoffs in 2022. He previously coached the Orlando Magic for two seasons – where he missed the playoffs both years – and the Indiana Pacers for six years – where he made the playoffs all but one.
Vogel will replace Monty Williams, who the Suns fired May 13 after an early playoff exit. Williams recently agreed to become the head coach of the Detroit Pistons.
The decision to hire Vogel will be the second biggest decision of Mat Ishbia’s ownership era. The first was the blockbuster trade of beleaguered Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant midway through the 2022-23 season. Now, Ishbia hopes Vogel can take a roster with Durant and Devin Booker further than the Western Conference semifinals. He did it briefly with the Lakers roster of LeBron James and Anthony Davis in 2020 and had a solid track record of success with the Pacers.
What comes next for Phoenix will likely be what to do with DeAndre Ayton and Chris Paul. With Williams gone, perhaps the rifts can be mended between Ayton and the organization. Paul just turned 38 and his groin injury played a pivotal role in the Suns’ eventual demise. Only $15.8 million of his $30.8 million salary is also guaranteed for next season.
This is Vogel’s show now, and he will once again lead one of the most important and prestigious teams in the league.