Phoenix Suns Head Coach Shares Candid Thoughts About Being In Role for the First Time originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Phoenix Suns are amid an offseason of significant changes at nearly every level of their organization. They missed out on the NBA Playoffs after going 36-46 and finished as the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference. As a result, the Suns fired head coach Mike Budenholzer with four years and $40 million remaining on his contract.
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Shortly after, owner Mat Ishbia moved James Jones from the general manager position to an advisory position to insert Brian Gregory, vice president of player programming and a personal friend of Ishbia’s. The two were part of the Michigan State National Championship team in 2000.
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia sits courtside against the Indiana Pacers at Footprint Center.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix Suns head coach shares candid thoughts on upcoming first year
With Gregory in place at the helm of the front office, they decided on their next head coach when they hired former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Jordan Ott. Like Ishbia and Gregory, Ott also attended Michigan State University for a time while getting his master’s degree.
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Reporters had the opportunity to speak with Ott regarding filling out the rest of the coaching staff ahead of his first year as an NBA head coach.
“I know we’re building something unique here. I want those guys around me that I can lean on because I don’t know what this is exactly going to be,” per AZ Central’s Duane Rankin. “I don’t know all these steps in it,” “Guys who have been in different programs and even myself.
“So I’ve tried to broaden my scope a little bit, but also the piece of engraining yourself with the guys and how we’re going to build this environment, have a feel for what exactly that vibe and environment should feel like on a day-to-day basis is really important.”
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Gregory has been active, attempting to give Ott the best team possible as he prepares for his rookie season as a head coach. Not having Kevin Durant is significant, but they’ve assembled some young talent to put alongside Devin Booker in hopes of contending for a playoff spot in the West.
It remains to be seen whether any big names choose to be a part of what the Suns are building, but this team could surprise fans come the start of the season.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.