The Suns hired their fourth head coach in as many years on Wednesday, bringing aboard former Cavaliers assistant coach Jordan Ott on a four-year deal.
According to John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Phoenix (Twitter link), Phoenix was particularly impressed with Ott’s elaborate offensive plans and his committed work ethic. Current All-Star guard Devin Booker and franchise legend Steve Nash both approved of the hire, Gambadoro notes.
Ott beat out his former Cleveland colleague Johnnie Bryant, the other reported finalist for the role. It took an intensive four-round interview process to replace one-and-done former head coach Mike Budenholzer. Miami assistant coach Chris Quinn, Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney, Thunder assistant Dave Bliss and Phoenix assistant David Fizdale were among the apparent top contenders, having survived multiple rounds of meetings themselves.
Phoenix has failed to even get past the first round of the playoffs with its pricey All-Star triumvirate of Booker, forward Kevin Durant and guard Bradley Beal. Last year’s iteration finished outside of the play-in tournament. It is anticipated that the Suns will attempt to trade Durant and Beal. Since Beal has a no-trade clause, he would need to be on board with his next destination.
There’s more out of Phoenix:
- Ott, who had also been a finalist for the Hornets’ head coaching role last spring, seems likely to align with the vision Suns majority owner Mat Ishbia and new general manager Brian Gregory have previously laid out, observes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Ishbia spoke about wanting to find a “grinder” during an April presser. During Gregory’s first press conference in his new role this May, he stated that Phoenix was looking for a coach with deep basketball knowledge and an investment in playing a tough, physical brand of basketball.
- Ishbia, who has overseen significant roster and coach turnover since taking over the franchise, plans to get even more hands-on with the team from now on, per Gerald Bourgeut of PHNX Sports. Ott, like Gregory and Ishbia, is a Michigan State alum. Bourgeut notes that, should both Ott and Gregory not meet the moment, Ishbia could receive even more scrutiny for his hiring choices than he has in the past. A source told Bourgeut that Ishbia, himself a former player for the Spartans, emailed his basketball operations team this week, claiming he needed to be more involved in constructing a team culture. Ishbia added that he intends to be “extremely active in the decisions and management,” per Bourgeut’s source.
- In case you missed it, mutual interest reportedly remains between the Spurs and Durant on a potential trade.
Why sign a coach to a 4 yr deal when you know damn well he won’t be there that long?
Because no coach is willing to take a short deal from you. They all know whats up and you gotta pay the meddlesome billionaire tax
Butler/Booker/Beal – killer B’s. This makes them better, Butler is a great facilitator and is “pass first”, Warriors have absolutely zero offense after Curry, they need KD. It’s a perfect match, 1-1, money-match, fair trade both sides, get it done yesterday.
The suns are not trading KD for Butler 1:1 for the love of god will you stop posting about it. Literally every post about this topic has mentioned the suns are seeking young players and/or draft comp. They are not trading for a 35 year old worse version of KD.
To be fair Ishbia seems to change his thinking all the time. I wouldnt be insanely shocked if that was the basic framework of a deal. It all depends if KD actually wanted back. Now he said during a super long friendly podcast with Draymond he didnt want to move mid year, and was aware of how a team trading for him might not have much left to compete. I almost thought he sounded like he might eventually come back to GSW as a FA or something.
Now the price I have seen mentioned for KD makes me think the ask on him expiring just isnt super high. Butler and 1 first where they can redirect Butler to a 3rd team for different assets if they want doesnt sound that out of the park. It all depends on if KD decides riding out with Steph is his best chance at a title and just pushes himself to go to SF. I would think the Spurs are a more likely spot since Vassell/Barnes/Sochan with some maybe rerouted and 1 first makes some sense. If PHX only takes Vassell back they would get below the second apron, they could even get some MLE room if they cut Micic and dumped one more.
Welcome to the Davey J experience. Where he is right all the time and you dont know ball.
> Ishbia noted that he intends to be “extremely active in
> the decisions and management,”
Needless to say, Ishbia waited until AFTER the new coach was hired to announce this.
This can only go well right? Hyper involved owners always lead to titles Im sure of it…
And he wasn’t already involved too much? SMH. Guess my fair weather subs fandom will be going dormant for a while.
Michigan State has a better chance of winning the NBA championship than the Suns do.
SMH lololslsls
Ha!
He’s expected to say yes.
What a disgrace
The best path forward for them is to probably clear salary, and get at least one of their FRPs back.
Houston can send FVV, Landale, #10 and one of their FRPs.
Suns can cut FVV and save 44M in cap space and more in luxury tax.