With the Phoenix Suns netting themselves a new head coach and the No. 1 pick in this summer's NBA Draft, the organization added more to its coaching staff.
Joe Prunty was named the lead assistant coach to Igor Kokoskov, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Prunty was the interim head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks after the team fired Jason Kidd during the season. He led the Bucks to a first-round playoff appearance against the Boston Celtics. The Bucks lost in seven games.
Over the final portion of the season, Prunty boasted a solid record, per Wojnarowski.
Prunty won 21 of 37 games to finish out the Bucks' regular season, and interviewed for the Milwaukee head-coaching job that ultimately went to former NBA coach of the year Mike Budenholzer.
Prunty was largely in charge of the offense as one of Kidd's assistants. It's possible he serves the same role under Kokoskov, who was hired from the Utah Jazz.
Prunty is joining a Suns team that was the worst team in the NBA this season. Now with a new coach and the No. 1 pick, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. The Suns still have Devin Booker, who is their best player.
Prunty proved that he can coach a young, talented team, and can handle superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo. As an assistant, he would not have all the pressure on him to navigate the direction of the team.
In light of that, Prunty can hone in on specifics and cement himself as a key cog in the new Suns machine.
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