The Phoenix Suns have a new GM. Well, he's not technically new. Brian Gregory was part of the front office, serving as the vice president of player programming. Phoenix promoted Gregory and announced that James Jones will transition to a senior advisor role.
The NBA offseason hasn't officially begun, but the Suns are already making moves after a disappointing season that ended without a spot in the Play-In Tournament. The next domino that should fall is Phoenix naming a new head coach. Before the Gregory promotion, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Jones was running point for the team's head coach search, making it known that he would stay in the desert in some capacity.
Arizona radio host John Gambadoro tweeted Thursday that the Suns' head coach search would officially begin that day, as Gregory started to contact candidates' agents. Stein previously reported that Phoenix is expected to hire a young, first-time head coach.
Gregory's focus is on the Suns' head coach vacancy, but the real work will begin for him during the summer. The expectation is that Phoenix will trade Kevin Durant this summer after shopping him before the deadline. The Suns don't have draft assets and are financially strapped, and trading KD will help give Phoenix some room to breathe.
Gregory and Suns are expected to trade Kevin Durant this summer
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania previously reported that several teams and KD had "mutual interest" over the summer. Charania added that those teams are expected to express interest in Durant again over the offseason.
Durant will turn 37 before next season, but he's still playing at a high level. Several teams will reach out to the Suns about KD. Giannis Antetokounmpo requesting a trade would lessen interest in Durant and could drag trade talks out longer than Phoenix wants, but that's a hurdle Gregory will have to cross if it happens.
KD has one season left on his current contract, so teams that go after him will want a commitment, which means he'll have a say in where he ends up.
Many Suns fans wanted Mat Ishbia to bring in a strong outside voice as the next GM, rather than promote someone he's known for a long time who doesn't have the necessary experience. Fans have no choice but to hope that Gregory will help dig Phoenix out of the hole the organization got itself into, and trading Durant will be part of that.