Suns hire Jay Triano as assistant coach

[letsgosuns]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/05/18/phoenix-suns-tab-jay-triano-associate-head-coach/84575284/

He was an assistant coach with the Blazers for four years. Watson was on the Blazers for one year with him and Batum was on the Blazers with him for four years. Triano was also the head coach for the Raptors during DeRozan's first two years. He also is affiliated with Steve Nash. I am sure his relationships played a major role in the Suns hiring him.

[ATTL]

Not a bad move as an assistant.

[TeamTragic]

Good choice. Are we going after Batum this offseason?

[8on]

Not an assistant. Associate Head Coach.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/733096997977239552[/tweet]

Probably just an insurance policy, since Earl doesn't have much experience. I dig it.....i just don't know anything about Jay.

[8on]

Good choice. Are we going after Batum this offseason?

Gambo says we are, but I'll bet money he isn't leaving Charlotte

[AtheJ415]

Good choice. Are we going after Batum this offseason?

Gambo says we are, but I'll bet money he isn't leaving Charlotte

I hope we miss out on him. I like Batum, but he won't be worth what he gets, and I'd rather save cap room this year and spend next year when fewer teams have space. If we're going to gamble and pay big money, I'd rather target a young guy like Barnes.

[Saberestar]

Great great hiring. I really like Triano as an assistant coach, he is well respected around the league and has a ton of experience.

He has a lot of connections with Canadian players obviously...so Jamal Murray can be our pick IF Triano has a voice in that selection.

[letsgosuns]

Triano coached Demar DeRozan during Derozan's first and second years in Toronto. I wonder if DeRozan will be a free agent target for the Suns. He is unrestricted assuming he opts-out of his current contract. The Raptors will probably offer to max him out but there might be a chance he wants to leave anyway. He is 6-7 so he should be able to play small forward with Booker starting at shooting guard. If he is interested in coming to the Suns, I bet the Suns could work out a sign and trade of Knight for him.

[Saberestar]

Triano coached Demar DeRozan during Derozan's first and second years in Toronto. I wonder if DeRozan will be a free agent target for the Suns. He is unrestricted assuming he opts-out of his current contract. The Raptors will probably offer to max him out but there might be a chance he wants to leave anyway. He is 6-7 so he should be able to play small forward with Booker starting at shooting guard. If he is interested in coming to the Suns, I bet the Suns could work out a sign and trade of Knight for him.

I don't think DeRozan wants out. They are in the Conference Finals, he is their go to guy and he is gonna receive a max contract.

[blacksun]

Awesome news. Great first move for the offseason.

[bwgood77]

Good article about Triano when he was assistant for Portland.

http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/jay-triano-brings-experience-and-much-more-trail-blazers-coaching-staff

[Gorilla Warfare]

How long until he becomes our next head coach after Watson is fired? 1 season? 1.5 seasons?

[darealjuice]

Triano can't have been cheap to bring over considering all of the experience he has and him being the Head Coach of the Canadian National Basketball team. I'm both enthusiatic and surprised to see Sarver actually open up his wallet and bring in a top assistant to support Watson as an associate Head Coach

[Gorilla Warfare]

[RaisingArizona]

[jcsunsfan]

How old is this guy? He certainly does not look 19.

[Gorilla Warfare]

Dude looks like he's 30 and has 5 kids with 3 different women in that picture, but in other pictures he just looks like a big 19 year old.