The Phoenix Suns are hiring Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Jordan Ott to be the franchise’s next head coach, a source briefed on the matter confirmed Wednesday.
ESPN first reported the news of the Suns hiring Ott.
The move puts an end to Phoenix’s head-coaching search, which was narrowed down Monday to Ott and Johnnie Bryant, Cleveland’s associate head coach, according to a source briefed on the matter.
This will mark the franchise’s fourth head coach in as many years after Phoenix dismissed coach Mike Budenholzer on April 14. Owner Mat Ishbia and new general manager Brian Gregory, who promised a thorough search, considered more than 15 candidates. Ott, who just concluded his first season under Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson, was part of a Cleveland team that produced an Eastern Conference-best 64 wins before losing to the Indiana Pacers in the conference semifinals.
While Ott has no NBA head-coaching experience, Phoenix is ready for change, coming off a disappointing 36-46 season in which stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant led the Suns to an 11th-place finish in the West, falling out of Play-In contention. Ott, the 40-year-old who has been an NBA assistant with the Cavs, Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers, will look to steer that change with his decade-plus experience seated next to a head coach.
Ott brings what Suns need to rebuild
The Suns have tried hiring head coaches with strong resumes. Frank Vogel and Budenholzer both had won championships before arriving in the desert. They lasted one season. During the 2023-24 season, the Suns didn’t win a playoff series under Vogel. This season, Budenholzer didn’t even get there.
So the move to a younger, first-time head coach should be embraced. It also should come with patience. The Suns may not say they’re rebuilding, but they are. They’re not bringing in Ott to help the team become instant contenders. They hired him to change the identity. Ishbia and Gregory have talked of toughness and defense. This will take time. And a roster makeover.
Much will be made of Ott’s Michigan State background. It’s the easiest connection to make. Ishbia played at Michigan State. Gregory coached there. Ott was a graduate assistant and video coordinator under coach Tom Izzo. During his introductory news conference, Gregory discussed the importance of organizational alignment. Consider the Suns aligned. It wasn’t the reason Ott was hired, but it also didn’t hurt.
Ott is known as a grinder, someone who communicates well and looks for new ways to solve common problems. For a star-studded team that went stale long before its expiration date, a new voice and methods might be what they need. — Doug Haller, Suns senior writer
(Photo: Candice Ward / Getty Images)
