1 day Ago By Frederick Okocha, Last Word On Sports
The Phoenix Suns are expected to finalize their leadership decisions early next week. According to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, some moves might happen before the weekend. The search for a new head coach will follow soon after, as the team recently fired Mike Budenholzer.
Suns Exploring Every Option To Resolve Leadership Situation Suns leadership roles are now in flux, and owner Mat Ishbia seems ready to act quickly. One name has already surfaced. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Brian Gregory, currently vice president of player programming, could earn a promotion.
Brian Gregory Emerges As a Contender Stein described Gregory as a serious internal candidate. “I’m told an emerging option in Phoenix, rather than a splashy hire outside hire, is promoting VP of player programming Brian Gregory to a more prominent front office role,” Stein posted. Gregory already plays a major role in the Suns’ draft strategy .
He also enjoys a strong relationship with Ishbia. The two go back decades—Gregory coached Ishbia at Michigan State between 1999 and 2003 while serving as an assistant under Tom Izzo. The Suns hired Gregory last offseason after he completed a six-year stint as South Florida’s head coach.
His deep ties to basketball and Phoenix’s top brass give him an edge. It’s possible his role will expand as the team reshapes its leadership structure. James Jones’ Future Is Unclear as Suns Reshuffle Leadership James Jones, current president of basketball operations and general manager, may be on his way out.
His contract reportedly expires in June. So far, the team has not confirmed whether he will return. In the meantime, reports suggest that Jones is leading the coaching search.
NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein have both said he’s acting as “point guard” in the process. Still, the team’s failure to reach even the play-in tournament this past season puts every executive under the microscope. The Suns finished 36-46—a record Ishbia called unacceptable.
Ishbia Wants Results, Not Excuses Ishbia made his stance clear during his end-of-season press conference. “It wasn’t fun to watch our team lose and not compete at the level that we all expected,” he said . He emphasized that his role as owner is to make necessary changes.
“What we just tried and did over the last 2.5 years has not been as successful as we hoped,” he added . Those remarks reflect a growing urgency within the organization.
With the team underperforming, reshaping Suns leadership roles has become a top priority. Next: The Coaching Search Once the front office is settled, the Suns will turn their attention to hiring a new head coach. The list of candidates includes several first-time prospects.
The team is actively looking for a first-year head coach. Names reportedly under consideration include Johnnie Bryant (Cavaliers), Royal Ivey and Ben Sullivan (Rockets), Chris Quinn (Heat), and Sean Sweeney and Jared Dudley (Mavericks). This youthful pool of assistants signals a possible shift in organizational philosophy.
Phoenix are prioritizing energy, fresh ideas, and adaptability over big names. A Major Roster Decision Looms Leadership changes won’t end with the Suns front office or coaching staff. The team must soon decide what to do with Kevin Durant .
With Durant aging and the roster expensive, Phoenix will explore trade options. The goal: turn him into draft picks, talent, or young assets. Any Durant deal must balance competitiveness and long-term planning.
It will be a key test for whoever ends up in the top Suns leadership roles. Suns Must Get These Moves Right Phoenix faces a crucial offseason. The Suns must overhaul its leadership, find a new coach, and resolve its roster direction.
Each decision will shape the future of the franchise. With the window closing for stars like Durant and Devin Booker , mistakes now could haunt them for years. Nailing hirings won’t just define this summer—it could determine the franchise’s path for the next decade.
Phoenix has no room for error. And they know it. This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.
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