Earlier this year, the Phoenix Suns fired head coach Frank Vogel in favor of former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer. And just a few days after prying former NBA player Brent Barry away from the San Antonio Spurs, the Suns are not done adding to their coaching staff. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Suns have hired three-time NBA champion James Posey as an assistant coach. The 47-year-old was most recently a part of the Washington Wizards coaching staff. Additionally, he spent 2014 to 2019 as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning a championship with the team in 2016.
ESPN Sources: James Posey is joining the Phoenix Suns as an assistant coach. Posey — who had a 12-year NBA playing career — has had coaching stops with the Wizards and Cavaliers. pic.twitter.com/ofEQpQiMn1
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 25, 2024
Posey enjoyed an 11-year NBA career before becoming a coach. The Ohio native won his first championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. Additionally, he played an important role for the Boston Celtics during their championship run in 2008. Posey also spent time with the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Hornets, and Indiana Pacers.
James Posey Joins Phoenix Suns’ Coaching Staff
The Phoenix Suns Are Looking to Bounce Back From Disappointing Season
During the 2023 NBA offseason, the Suns made a plethora of moves to contend for a championship. After acquiring star Kevin Durant during the season, the team also landed Bradley Beal the following summer. The duo, alongside Devin Booker, was expected to become one of the most dominant offenses in the league. However, things did not go well for Phoenix as they were aiming for their first NBA Finals appearance since 2021.
The Suns struggled for much of the year, ultimately finishing with a 49-33 record. This record earned them the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. Phoenix went on to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. However, they eventually got swept, losing three of the four games by double digits.
Phoenix Has Had a Busy Offseason So Far
The Suns have done much more this summer than work on their coaching staff. After their lackluster 2023-24 campaign, it is clear the Suns want to improve their roster as much as possible. So far, the team has signed big man Mason Plumlee and guard Monte Morris. Additionally, they drafted guard Ryan Dunn and signed guard Collin Gillespie and forward Jalen Bridges to two-way contracts. Furthermore, the Suns brought back some familiar names. Phoenix also re-signed big man Bol Bol, wing Josh Okogie, forward Royce O’Neale, and guard Damion Lee.
So far this summer, the Suns have had an eventful offseason. Whether it will be good enough to take it to the next level remains unclear, however. Durant has just two years remaining on his contract. It is unknown exactly how much longer the 35-year-old wants to play in the league. Regardless, the Suns must maximize their championship window as soon as possible to bring a title to the organization for the first time in franchise history.
