There has been a lot of buzz surrounding the Phoenix Suns and their search for a new head coach following the team's decision to part ways with former Coach of the Year winner Monty Williams. A few names have surfaced for this job. These include Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer, and former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse. The Suns are coming off a disappointing NBA Playoffs second-round exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. However, an NBA Hall of Famer has emerged as a potential hire.

The one thing clear in this hiring process is that new team owner and self-appointed president of basketball operations Mat Ishbia is going to be heavily involved in the decision. He was the one who made the call to fire Williams. And it is clear that Ishbia will also have the final say on who will be the new head coach.

ESPN's Frank Isola believes that two-time NBA champion Isiah Thomas has a clear path to the job opening. Thomas has been a close adviser to Ishbia for some time now, and he appears to be in a prime position to be the Suns' new head coach:

“I would not be shocked if Isiah Thomas is the coach of this team,” Isola said. “That's [Ishbia's] guy. He's clearly advising him. He was with him at the NCAA tournament, he was with him the night that Jokic (had a courtside altercation with Ishbia). … I'm not saying it's gonna happen, but I would not completely rule it out.”

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Thomas served as a head coach in the NBA during the early 2000s. He started off his coaching career with the New York Knicks. Three years later, he became the top shot-caller for the Indiana Pacers. Thomas' reign in Indiana lasted just two years, though, and he's been out of the coaching circle since 2008. It now appears that he could get another chance with the Suns.