According to multiple reports, the Phoenix Suns are set to hire former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as their new head coach.
Ott has been an NBA assistant since 2013 having spent time with the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Cleveland Cavalier in a variety of roles. Prior to that he was the Video Coordinator for the Michigan State Spartans.
Eight candidates are believed to have advanced to the second round of interviews, with six being invited for in-person interviews. The list of potential coaches reportedly included Johnnie Bryant, Ott, Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn, Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney, Oklahoma City Thunder assistant Dave Bliss and current Suns staff member David Fizdale. According to reports, Suns guard Devin Booker has been involved in the search process over the past week.
Phoenix essentially cleared out their coaching staff and front office, replacing head coach Mike Budenholzer on April 14th, and naming Brian Gregory the team’s new GM on May 1st. Budenholzer’s departure means the team will have seen 3 different coaches in 3 seasons, with Ott set to inherit a roster that could look drastically different this fall.
Star forward Kevin Durant could be amongst the changes to come this summer, with the veteran being shopped around NBA circles this offseason. Outside of Booker, it would appear just about everyone else is on the table if the right deal were to come along as Phoenix looks to return to the postseason in 2025-26.
Photo: Carim James. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.