The Phoenix Suns have announced Jordan Ott as their next head coach. Ott served as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers alongside the 2025 Coach of the Year, Kenny Atkinson.
After a comprehensive, four-round search that included over 15 candidates, the Suns’ ownership and front office aligned on Ott, who joined Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson’s staff last summer and played a key coaching role on the East-best 64-win Cavaliers this season. https://t.co/p0RMv8lj9b
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2025
Ott previously served as an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers. This will be his first head coaching job. He’s received praise for his role in re-shaping Cleveland’s staff last season and helping them to the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Phoenix is now on its fourth coach in as many seasons. Monty Williams, Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer all got the short end of the stick as the Suns have been trending in the wrong direction since their NBA Finals berth in 2021.
Last season, Phoenix finished 36-46, missing the Play-In tournament despite having the most expensive roster in basketball.
Hiring Ott is another attempt at course correcting for the Suns. They’ll be taking on a first-year head coach and hopefully, starting a new chapter.
The Suns have more decisions to make. Will they trade Kevin Durant this summer? Is it even possible for them to trade Bradley Beal? Many questions need to be answered. And there’s no telling what the roster will look like by the time October rolls around.
All we know is Ott is deserving of this opportunity. He might have his hands full in Phoenix, but he’s more than earned this new job.
Losing an assistant coach who helped the team make a leap is tough to swallow. But it’s a sign the Cavs were doing something right, to begin with.