Suns Reduce Coaching Search to Two Finalists
The Phoenix Suns have narrowed their head coaching search to two finalists from the Cleveland Cavaliers: associate coach Johnnie Bryant and assistant Jordan Ott.
Both Bryant and Ott will meet with Suns owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and General Manager Brian Gregory in Michigan this week.
After dismissing Mike Budenholzer on April 14 and naming Gregory as the new general manager on May 1, the Suns initiated an exhaustive coaching search. Gregory led a multi-round process that began with over 15 interviews. A group of approximately eight candidates had second-round meetings before five (Bryant, Ott, Chris Quinn of Miami, Dave Bliss of Oklahoma City, and current staff member David Fizdale) advanced to in-person visits with team officials last week. The Suns star, Devin Booker, has been involved in the search process for the last seven to ten days.The Cavaliers had 64 wins this season, the best record in the Eastern Conference, and could lose one of their top assistants to the Suns. Bryant and Ott joined the Cavaliers last summer as the first signings of Coach of the Year, Kenny Atkinson, and both assistants are rooted in the principles of toughness, grit, and player development. The Cavaliers ranked first in offensive efficiency and eighth in defensive efficiency this season.
The Suns have been the only real NBA coaching vacancy for several weeks, which has allowed the franchise to be patient with its search. The Suns, who had a 36-46 record this season, will hire their fourth different coach in four seasons.
Ott has also been on the staff of the Atlanta Hawks (2013-16), Brooklyn Nets (2016-22), and Los Angeles Lakers (2022-24), while Bryant has also served as an assistant for the Utah Jazz (2012-20) and New York Knicks (2020-24).Bryant played college ball at Utah from 2005 to 2008, while Ott was a video coordinator with the Michigan State men’s basketball program under Tom Izzo from 2008 to 2013.
