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Phoenix Suns to interview Sixers assistant Monty Williams

Williams joined the Sixers’ coaching staff in June after spending two years in the San Antonio Spurs’ front office.

Sixers assistant coach Monty Williams has drawn interest from the Phoenix Suns.
Sixers assistant coach Monty Williams has drawn interest from the Phoenix Suns.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer

The Phoenix Suns will interview 76ers lead assistant coach Monty Williams for their head-coaching position.

A Sixers official said the Suns received permission Tuesday to interview the well-respected coach. ESPN first reported the news.

The Suns also will seek permission to interview Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach David Vanterpool, according to The Athletic.

Williams is one of the NBA’s most-sought-after head-coaching candidates. He’s also a finalist for the Los Angeles Lakers’ vacant coaching position.

The Suns fired Igor Kokoskov after just one year as their coach. Phoenix finished with the second-worst record in the NBA, 19-63, and also had the Western Conference’s worst record for the third consecutive season.

Williams joined the Sixers’ coaching staff in June after spending two years in the San Antonio Spurs’ front office.

The Spurs job came after he spent the 2015-16 season as an assistant coach with the Oklahoma Thunder. He took an indefinite leave of absence after his wife, Ingrid, died in a car accident on Feb. 10, 2016. It was announced that he wouldn’t return to the team after the season.

Before going to OKC, he compiled a 173-221 record during five seasons as the Pelicans coach. Williams led New Orleans to two postseason appearances. Before that, he spent five seasons as an assistant coach with the Trail Blazers. He also was an assistant coach for the U.S. men’s national team from 2013-16.

The Sixers will host the Brooklyn Nets in Game 5 of their opening-round playoff series Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers hold a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.