Phoenix Suns Reach Breakthrough on Head Coach Search: Down to 2 Cavalier Assistants

The Phoenix Suns have narrowed their head coaching search down to a couple of Cleveland Cavaliers assistants, associate coach Johnnie Bryant and assistant Jordan Ott, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday. This is an interesting development in the coaching search for the Suns as they seem to be going in a younger direction with a first-time head coaches as they are from a team that had a successful regular season with the best offensive efficiency and eighth in defensive efficiency. Shams has also reported that franchise cornerstone Devin Booker has been involved with the process along with Matt Ishbia, Josh Bartelstein, and general manager Brian Gregory. Here are more thoughts on this development.

Ott and Bryant’s Background

Before joining Kenny Atkinson’s staff for the 24-25 season, both have been on several NBA staffs over their coaching career to this point, with Ott being on the Atlanta Hawks (13-16), Brooklyn Nets (16-22), and Los Angeles Lakers (22-24) staffs. Bryant was on the Jazz (12-20) and New York Knicks (20-24) before joining the Cavaliers staff. So the Suns are looking at two guys who have been long-time assistants in the league, but never have served as the head coach. So this could be a sign that the Suns could be heading for a rebuild soon, as this coach will have a longer leash with the timeline, or at least should have that. 

Final Thoughts

The Phoenix Suns are in an interesting position this offseason with the timeline of Devin Booker’s prime on the downslide, but are looking at a first-time head coach in a loaded Western Conference. This is an interesting move by Phoenix, and when the official hire is made, Total Apex Sports will be on top of it. Total Apex will also have more NBA stories throughout the rest of the 2024-25 season, with the NBA Finals rolling around starting this week as well.