The Phoenix Suns have officially hired Jordan Ott as their new head coach, making him the fourth person to hold the position in as many seasons. As first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, Ott beat out more than 15 candidates for the job, including fellow Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, and assistants Chris Quinn (Heat), Sean Sweeney (Mavericks), and Dave Bliss (Thunder).
Ott, 40, brings over a decade of NBA coaching experience and a reputation for strong player development and adaptability. His journey began in 2013 as a video coordinator with the Atlanta Hawks before moving on to assistant coaching roles with the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and most recently, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Under head coach Kenny Atkinson this past season, Ott helped lead the Cavaliers to a 64-18 record and the top seed in the Eastern Conference. His growing responsibilities on that bench, along with his relationships with players and coaching staff, elevated his profile throughout the league.
Ott’s hiring comes during a critical transitional period for the Suns. After finishing the 2024-25 season with a disappointing 34-46 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020, team owner Mat Ishbia vowed to retool the organization from the top down.
That included parting ways with former head coach Mike Budenholzer and promoting Brian Gregory to general manager. Now, with Ott at the helm, the Suns are signaling a fresh start, but questions linger about the state of the roster.
Ott inherits one of the NBA’s most unstable coaching environments. Since 2022, the Suns have cycled through Monty Williams, Frank Vogel, and Budenholzer, with each departure tied to Ishbia’s aggressive pursuit of results.
Despite boasting the most expensive roster in the league, headlined by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, Phoenix flamed out spectacularly this year.
Injuries, chemistry issues, and roster imbalance derailed their campaign, leading to internal frustration and public criticism from Ishbia himself, who admitted being “embarrassed” by the outcome.
The timing of Ott’s arrival also coincides with major personnel uncertainty. Kevin Durant has been frequently mentioned in trade rumors, and with new front-office leadership in place, a teardown or retooling of the core may be imminent.
Reports suggest the Suns have engaged multiple teams in trade talks involving Durant and may even explore moving Bradley Beal. Superstar guard Devin Booker, considered the franchise cornerstone, was reportedly consulted during the coaching search, further highlighting his importance in Phoenix’s long-term plans.
Ott’s hiring also fits a pattern under Ishbia, who has shown a tendency to favor coaches with Michigan State ties and a player development focus. While Ott doesn’t carry head coaching experience, he is widely respected across the league and has connections to several Suns players, including Durant, whom he coached in Brooklyn.
While Ott will be tasked with developing young talent and potentially leading a rebuild, he also faces immense pressure in an organization that has cycled through high-profile coaches at a rapid pace.
Whether this move brings stability or marks yet another chapter in Phoenix’s chaotic era remains to be seen. Either way, the Jordan Ott era in the Valley has officially begun.
