The Phoenix Suns have narrowed their coaching search to two candidates, choosing Cleveland Cavaliers assistants Johnny Bryant and Jordan Ott as finalists. This information was shared with the Associated Press by a source who spoke anonymously, as the team has yet to make an official announcement. ESPN initially reported Bryant and Ott as the finalists. The Suns are in pursuit of their fourth head coach in four years after dismissing Mike Budenholzer following a disappointing 36-46 season that saw them miss the playoffs. Both Bryant and Ott are set to meet with Suns management later this week.
Johnny Bryant, 39, brings over a decade of NBA experience, having served as an assistant for the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks before joining the Cavaliers as an associate head coach in 2024. Jordan Ott, 40, has worked with several teams including the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Cavaliers and began his coaching career as a video coordinator under Tom Izzo at Michigan, a program connected to Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who once played there as a walk-on. The incoming coach will inherit a roster that may soon be without superstar Kevin Durant, who declined a proposed midseason trade to the Golden State Warriors, stating he preferred to consider any move during the offseason to avoid disrupting team chemistry.
Fan Take: This coaching decision marks a pivotal moment for the Suns as they seek stability and a fresh direction after several tumultuous seasons. For basketball enthusiasts, the selection of a young, rising coach like Bryant or Ott could signify an exciting new era of innovation and growth for the team and potentially shake up the competitive dynamics in the NBA.
