The Phoenix Suns announced on Friday that they have hired Monty Williams to be their next head coach.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Williams has agreed to a five-year deal with the franchise.
The Suns have agreed to terms with Monty Williams to become the 20th head coach in franchise history! pic.twitter.com/Wm7tU8agIX
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 3, 2019
The 24th pick in the 1994 NBA Draft, Williams played for the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers during his 10-year career.
He's since been an assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers, as well as an associate head coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder and head coach of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans.
Williams is currently an assistant coach on the 76ers. He will stay with the team until the end of Philadelphia's playoff run, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
“I am thrilled to welcome Monty Williams to the Suns family as our next head coach,” Suns general manager James Jones said. “Monty brings a wealth of NBA experience, both as a coach and former player, in addition to being a high-character individual who will infuse basketball wisdom and life lessons into our locker room.
"Monty is well respected for his coaching pedigree, leadership and commitment to the community, all of which make him the ideal person to lead our team moving forward.”
The Suns won only 19 games in the 2018-19 season, but they are built around a talented young core of Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. Phoenix also has a 14.0 percent chance of winning the NBA Draft Lottery, the same odds as the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers.