The next Phoenix Suns coach will set the stage for next three years

Since Alvin Gentry, the Phoenix Suns have always paid its coaches the league’s lowest salary. From Lindsey Hunter to Jeff Hornacek to Earl Watson to Jay Triano, none have made more than even a single other NBA head coach.

This time around, the Suns have vowed to at least consider paying market rate (which is $5-7 million or more per year) for a really good, experienced coach.

“We’ll spend a significant amount of money if and when we find the right guy,” McDonough said to 98.7 FM ArizonaSports radio earlier this month.

What has changed the Suns’ minds all of a sudden?

Could it be realization that the Suns need a strong leader to be a strong program? That realization may have come from, or at…