No rush for Suns lead assistant Willie Green to become NBA head coach,
Lead assistant reportedly considered for openings
LOS ANGELES — The more the Phoenix Suns win, the hotter Willie Green’s name should become for an NBA head coaching job now and in the future.
The Suns’ lead assistant has directed their defense that’s second in the postseason in defensive rating. The secondseeded Suns limited the Los Angeles Clippers to 41.8% shooting from the field (12-of-39 from 3) in Wednesday’s 130-103 Game 6 closeout victory in the Western Conference finals to reach the NBA Finals.
There are three head coach openings left — positions with the Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans. Green is reportedly a candidate for all three, as he should be.
Back in May, the 39-year-old Green, in an exclusive interview with The Republic, talked about the goal of becoming an NBA head coach.
“It’s definitely a goal, but I don’t feel like a need to chase that goal,” Green said. “I just feel like you do what you’re supposed to do, you be good to the people that you’re around and if God has that for you, then it’ll happen.”
It might happen this summer, but if it doesn’t, that’d be fine, too. Just going through the interview process is a great experience for him.
Green has been instrumental in the
Suns building something special in just two seasons. That means his name will remain in the head coaching mix, especially now that he’s been part of two staffs that have reached the NBA Finals. Green worked for Steve Kerr at Golden State when the Warriors won back-toback titles (2017, 2018) and lost to the Toronto Raptors in 2019.
“He’s a head coach in the making,” Kerr said. “He’s on his way and I’m really happy for Willie. He’s done a phenomenal job.”
So out of the three remaining head coaching vacancies, which one would be the best one for Green?
1. Washington Wizards
Washington has an special backcourt with Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. Production-wise, they’re right there with Chris Paul and Devin Booker, as Beal finished second in the NBA in scoring and Westbrook is a triple-double machine.
Westbrook has a player option after next season. That must be taken into consideration when thinking about this position, but the Wizards have young talent and key role players.
The challenge would be getting them to consistently defend at a high level.
2. New Orleans Pelicans
Having played in New Orleans, Green already has a connection there.
He’d also have the future of the NBA in phenom Zion Williamson.
He is extremely talented and gifted, but The Athletic reported last month Williamson is unhappy with the organization and his family members want him out of there.
That’s not the ideal situation to join. However, Green has been around special talents and teams in Golden State and now Phoenix. He understands mega egos.
The 31-win Pelicans ranked 23rd in defensive rating this season.
3. Orlando Magic
Green ended his 12-year NBA career in Orlando. So again, familiarity there, but the Magic don’t have near the talent of New Orleans or Washington.
They’re in rebuild mode, a situation Green can walk into with a long-term plan to build a program. Every NBA team wants to win, but Orlando must realize it is a ways away from contending for a playoff spot, let alone a championship.
Cole Anthony is a good place to start at point guard. The Magic have the fifth and eighth overall picks in the upcoming NBA draft.
Green could really dig his hands into this situation and again, should be given time to develop a winning culture there, but the Magic’s roster clearly needs to be reworked.