Frank Vogel named Phoenix Suns Head Coach
The Phoenix Suns have named Frank Vogel their next head coach, according to Shams Charania. Vogel is set to join the Suns on a five-year 31$ million contract.
JUST IN: Frank Vogel is finalizing a deal to become the new head coach of the Phoenix Suns, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/bef5NdTO29
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 2, 2023
At the NBA level, Vogel has a copious amount of head coaching experience. Vogel was the head man for the Indiana Pacers from 2010-2016. In his six seasons with the Pacers, the team made the playoffs five times. This culminated in two Eastern Conference Finals appearances against the Lebron James-led Miami Heat. Unfourtently for the Pacers, they were unable to get past the Heat in either series. Once his tenure with Indiana was over, he spent two seasons with the Orlando Magic.
Vogel’s success peaked with the Los Angeles Lakers. In his first season with the Lakers, the team won the 2020 NBA Championship. Vogel ended up spending three seasons in Los Angeles before being fired after a disappointing 2021-2022 season.
The Suns were in the market for a new head coach after firing Monty Williams after a disappointing second-round exit in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
The expectations for Vogel will be incredibly high. At this point, it is championship or bust. That makes sense after the Suns made a midseason trade for Kevin Durant. A roster consisting of Durant, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Chris Paul screams championship potential.
Vogel’s championship experience makes him an appealing coaching option. After the 76ers hired Nick Nurse, Vogel was one of the few championship-caliber coaching left on the open market.
The hiring of Vogel has answered the first question surrounding the Phoenix Suns. That said, the front office will need to decide how to add the proper role players around Durant and Booker while determining what the future will look like for Paul and Ayton. It should be an interesting off-season in Phoenix.
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