The Phoenix Suns are on the verge of naming their next head coach, with Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott, both assistants from the Cleveland Cavaliers, emerging as the final two candidates, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. After a disappointing 36-46 season and the firing of Mike Budenholzer on April 14, 2025, the Suns are set to make their fourth coaching change in four years. Bryant and Ott will meet with Suns owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and new GM Brian Gregory in Michigan this week, with a hiring expected soon, per @Gambo987 on X. With Devin Booker involved in the process and trade rumors swirling around Kevin Durant, can Bryant or Ott reshape Phoenix’s identity? Let’s break down the finalists and what’s at stake.
Johnnie Bryant: Player Development Guru
At 39, Johnnie Bryant, Cleveland’s associate head coach, brings a stellar track record. Joining the Cavs in 2024 under NBA Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson, Bryant helped Cleveland to a 64-18 record, topping the East with the league’s best offensive rating (121.0), per ESPN Research. Previously, he spent eight years with the Utah Jazz (2012-20), developing Donovan Mitchell and Gordon Hayward, and four with the New York Knicks (2020-24) under Tom Thibodeau, mentoring Julius Randle, per The Athletic. Mitchell praised Bryant’s accountability, per HoopsHype, and Knicks coach Thibodeau called him a “great teacher,” per Fear The Sword. Bryant’s ties to Utah, where he played collegiately, and his player development expertise make him a strong fit for a Suns roster needing cohesion, especially if Durant is traded, per NBC Sports.
Jordan Ott: Offensive Innovator
Jordan Ott, 40, is a rising star known for creative offensive schemes. Also in his first year with Cleveland, Ott was credited for Evan Mobley’s All-NBA leap, per NBC Sports. His coaching journey includes stints with the Atlanta Hawks (2013-16, under Budenholzer), Brooklyn Nets (2016-22, four years with Atkinson), and Los Angeles Lakers (2022-24), per ESPN. Ott’s Michigan State ties, as a former video coordinator under Tom Izzo, align with Ishbia and Gregory’s Spartan roots, per Bright Side Of The Sun. His work with Cleveland’s top-ranked offense and prior experience rejuvenating Brooklyn’s attack (115.6 offensive rating in 2021-22) could help Phoenix, which ranked 27th in defensive rating but 10th offensively (113.2) in 2024-25, per Arizona Republic. Ott’s lack of head-coaching experience isn’t a deterrent for Ishbia, per The Athletic.
Suns’ Crossroads: A New Direction
Phoenix’s search, led by Gregory since his May 1 promotion, began with over 15 candidates, narrowing to six (including Chris Quinn, Sean Sweeney, Dave Bliss, and David Fizdale) before landing on Bryant and Ott, per ESPN. The Suns’ 36-46 season, their worst since 2018-19, and failure to make the playoffs prompted a focus on defense and toughness, per Arizona Republic. With Durant likely to be traded and Bradley Beal’s contract limiting flexibility, the new coach faces an uphill battle to retool around Booker, who’s been consulted, per ESPN. Ishbia’s rivalry with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert (Rocket Mortgage vs. United Wholesale Mortgage) adds intrigue, per Reddit’s r/nba. Will Bryant’s development skills or Ott’s offensive creativity define Phoenix’s future?