Last offseason, both the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers checked in on Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn as part of their head coaching search.
This summer, the Phoenix Suns are doing the same, as Quinn is one of nine candidates to record second interviews with the organization, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
The Suns are casting a wide net for their head coaching search. Heat assistant Chris Quinn is a part of it.
The Suns are on the precipice of hiring their fourth head coach in four years. They fired Mike Budenholzer after a 36-46 season in mid-April after letting go of Monty Williams and Frank Vogel in consecutive seasons.
Phoenix casted a wide net for their search, initially interviewing 15-20 candidates. According to Fischer, here were the candidates to receive second interviews:
- Chris Quinn (Heat assistant)
- Dave Bliss (Thunder assistant)
- David Fizdale (Suns assistant)
- James Borrego (Pelicans assistant)
- Johnnie Bryant (Cavaliers assistant)
- Jordan Ott (Cavaliers assistant)
- Micah Nori (Timberwolves assistant)
- Sean Sweeney (Mavericks assistant)
- Steve Hetzel (Nets assistant)
The stars are aligning for the Suns to hire a first-year head coach, which is a priority of theirs; Fizdale and Borrego are the only aforementioned names with previous head coaching experience.
Quinn, 40, is also the Heat’s longest-tenured assistant under head coach Erik Spoelstra, having been one of its primary player developmental staffers for the last decade. He joined Miami ahead of the 2014-15 season.
He’s been interviewed by the Bucks, Jazz, Hornets, Pistons and Pacers in the past for their head coaching gigs.
It remains unclear when the Suns will decide on their head coach, but it’s cool to see a respected assistant consistently see his name involved.
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…slightly more seriously, some folks on here have proposed a Celtics-esque shuffle where Riley steps down and Spo becomes GM. In such a scenario, I think Quinn is the most likely candidate for next head coach.
How do we feel about him taking the full reigns? He’s certainly an asset in his current position, but could he take over for Spo?
Spo, like Riley, will remain “all up in there” even after he turns the reigns over to Quinn. Caron Butler could slide perfectly right into Quinn’s spot. The team will maintain continuity.
Trade Quinn for Durant. We traded Van Gundy to the Magic, we can trade Quinn to the Suns.
Here’s more wishful thinking:
It makes sense to me, but what do I know, I’m only the piano player.
Cue up ‘don’t bogart that joint, my friend’. 😆😆
Homie don’t be blazin no more. Homie be vapin.
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