Days General manager James Jones released a statement on Saturday after the dismissal of head coach Monty Williams.
The decision to move on from Williams came just two days after Phoenix’s playoff exit, which came at the hands of the Nuggets in Game 6 on Thursday.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier Saturday that the decision to part ways with Williams came from new Suns owner Matt Ishbia, but instead it was Jones who made the statement Saturday, and indicated that the decision is his.
“Monty has been the foundation of our success over the past four seasons. We are filled with gratitude for all that Monty has contributed to the Suns and the Valley community,” WRITES Jones, via Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports. “While it was difficult for me to make this decision, I look forward to continuing the work to build a championship team.”
The Suns have made the firing of Monty Williams official.
James Jones in a statement: “Monty has been the foundation of our success over the past four seasons. We are filled with gratitude for all that Monty has contributed to the Suns and the Valley community." pic.twitter.com/pbV3MDIiVy
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) May 14, 2023
Williams served as the Suns’ head coach for four seasons. He was the league’s winningest head coach since 2021, and despite reaching the NBA Finals that year, he failed to deliver on the organization’s goal of winning a championship.
Phoenix finished the regular season with a 45-37 record, earning the fourth seed in the West. Williams won 194 of a possible 309 games during his season.
Jones and Ishbia will begin the head coach search in the coming days, with Wojnarowski reporting that there is no clear frontrunner. They will face the Bucks, Raptors, and Pistons, all of whom are looking for a new head coach after recent personnel changes.
