The Phoenix Suns are entering a new era of the team next season, even though it carries on the groundwork the team has built in the last few seasons under Monty Williams.
Williams left Phoenix after the 2023 Playoffs and is now coaching the Pistons, but his time in Phoenix wasn’t rosy, especially in the locker room. Suns’ insider John Gambadoro revealed Williams wasn’t getting along with players like Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder.
“He told people (Jae Crowder) was too difficult to handle and coach. Monty didn’t want Jae. It wasn’t the Suns’ organization. He didn’t want Jae around. As far as Deandre Ayton, Monty didn’t want him either. He wanted them to trade him to Indiana for Myles Turner. He didn’t like coaching Ayton.”
Crowder saw this report and reacted on Twitter by saying, “Aww man coach, really? That’s how you feel.”
Jae Crowder responds to rumors that Monty Williams didn't want him on the Suns 👀
"The Jae Crowder situation was all on Monty. He told people he was too difficult to handle and coach. Monty didn’t want Jae. It wasn’t the Suns organization. He didn’t want Jae around."
(via… pic.twitter.com/AWIZCvfsgH
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 20, 2023
Crowder was controversially told he wouldn’t be starting for the Suns at the start of this season, which led to him sitting out until the team traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks. Ayton didn’t boycott the season but fell out of Monty’s playoff rotation two seasons in a row, as people have seen both player and coach clash too many times.
The Suns Needed A Change
Monty Williams did what he was expected to do and changed the culture in Phoenix from one that’s mediocre to one that is ready to compete for a championship. Frank Vogel will see that work through after being given a big four to manage with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Deandre Ayton, and newest acquisition, Bradley Beal.
Most people widely expect Ayton to get traded to add depth, so it’s unlikely Vogel will have to deal with ensuring his star center is motivated throughout the year.
Crowder left the Suns in the winter and joined the Milwaukee Bucks, while Monty just left for the Detroit Pistons. If Ayton is finally moved this summer, it ensures that these potentially disruptive pieces will all be moved out of the Suns, as they enter a new era of contention.
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