Report: Suns hire Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as head coach

Phoenix Suns Hire Jordan Ott as New Head Coach

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns have officially appointed Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as their new head coach. This decision marks a shift towards embracing a young and emerging leader to revive a franchise that has experienced setbacks in recent seasons, according to a trusted source who spoke with The Associated Press on Wednesday. The individual requested to remain anonymous as the announcement has yet to be made public .

Ott becomes the fourth head coach for the Suns in four seasons, succeeding Mike Budenholzer, who was let go following a disappointing 36-46 campaign that ended without a playoff appearance. This occurred despite the high-profile trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal on the roster.

The 40-year-old Ott has an impressive resume, having previously worked with the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Cavaliers. He also served as a video coordinator under Tom Izzo at Michigan State, where Suns owner Mat Ishbia played as a walk-on from 1999 to 2003.

With the new season approaching, it remains uncertain whether Durant or Beal will be part of the roster, as both are potential candidates for trades. However, Booker seems to be the only player considered truly untouchable after a decade in Phoenix, highlighted by four All-Star appearances.

In the search for a new coach, Ott and fellow Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant emerged as the two leading contenders. Both candidates played pivotal roles under Kenny Atkinson, contributing to Cleveland’s impressive 64-18 record this season, the top in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. Ishbia and general manager Brian Gregory conducted an extensive and thorough search that spanned a month and a half, considering over a dozen candidates philwin legit. Gregory also has connections to Michigan State, as a former assistant coach. phl777 ph

ESPN was the first to report on Ott’s hiring. He now takes the helm of a franchise that has experienced a rapid rise and fall over the past five years. The Suns reached the NBA Finals in 2021 with a core that featured Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Chris Paul, and Cameron Johnson, only to fall to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. Phoenix achieved the best record in the NBA the following season, but suffered an upset against the Dallas Mavericks in the second round.

After purchasing the team in 2023, Ishbia made significant changes to the roster, trading for superstar Durant. However, the Suns faced another second-round playoff exit, this time against the Denver Nuggets, the eventual champions wph app. Following this season, Williams was dismissed, which triggered a series of changes for the franchise.

In the wake of these moves, the Suns acquired Beal, a three-time All-Star, and hired coach Frank Vogel in the subsequent offseason. Unfortunately, the team struggled to find chemistry, culminating in a sweep by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, leading to Vogel’s termination. jili jackpot Budenholzer took over for Vogel before last season, but the Suns failed to qualify for the play-in tournament in 2025. Notably, Ott has past experience with Budenholzer, serving as the video coordinator for the Hawks from 2013 to 2016.

What do you think of the Suns’ new direction with Jordan Ott as head coach?