NBA: Williams Explains Why He Chose Suns Over Lakers

Monty Williams was preparing for the second round of the 2019 NBA playoffs with Philadelphia 76ers when his name started doing the rounds among teams looking for a new head coach. The Sixers assistant was focused on the upcoming games against Toronto Raptors, the eventual champions, but admits that he had to juggle the two responsibilities of securing his future and helping the 76ers.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns were the two teams interested in signing Williams and he had received permission to hold talks from his then employers. He chose the latter despite being the Lakers’ first preference to replace Luke Walton, who had parted ways via mutual consent.

“I wasn’t looking for jobs because I was so locked in to the playoffs,” Williams told Arizona Sports Station’s Burns and Gambo. “Philadelphia was telling me to do my thing, but I told (head) coach Brett (Brown) we had to focus on Toronto. When my agent was talking to James (Jones), the Suns felt the same way."

“I was aware of it all but my focus was on the playoffs. At the same time, when you have a family and you want to be in this position again, you have to juggle. It was a strange time,” he added.

The Lakers were certain to be a tempting proposition for Williams after his assistant role with the Sixers but he chose the Suns after holding extensive talks with owner Robert Sarver and general manager James Jones. He revealed that the reason for choosing the Phoenix franchise is that he wants to be part of the “rebirth” of the team that has been languishing in the basement of the league in recent years.

The Suns have not made the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons and in recent years their poor performances have allowed them to build a strong young core with the likes of Devon Booker, Deandre Ayton and Kelly Oubre Jr. However, experts feel that if this team cannot get them back to title contention sooner rather than later, they will contend for the record of longest post-season drought which currently stands at 15 seasons.

"We both know that we can’t mess this up,” Williams said. “We have the chance to do something special and this is our shot. We (Williams and the Suns) have something in common and that’s having the chance to make this right.”

“I remember when this team was rolling, and when that happens there is no better place to play than Phoenix,” the Suns head coach explained. “I want to be a part of that rebirth.”