Phoenix Suns' head coach Jordan Ott isn't going to win the Coach of the Year award this season, but he should certainly be in the conversation.
The first time leading man being the right hire at the perfect time for an organization that needs both stability, and a long-term voice at the helm of their team.
Suns' gain is the Cleveland Cavaliers' loss
What is getting talked about a lot less however is the link between the uptick in fortunes in The Valley, and the dreadful campaign, relative to expectations, that the Cleveland Cavaliers are enduring.
They were knocked out of the playoffs in surprising fashion by the Indiana Pacers last season, and most believe they haven't been the same since because of that fact.
Their over/under for the season was around 64 wins, yet they sit at 15-14 and Donovan Mitchell and company don't look like they're having much fun. Their biggest loss this offseason?
That would be losing one of the best assistants in the league in coach Ott, who finally got his chance to lead a team out in Phoenix. There's more going on in Cleveland and injuries have not helped them, but losing somebody like Ott clearly hurts.
If anything this should add more fuel to a Coach of the Year campaign that won't get off the ground, while the Cavaliers have undoubtedly slipped on the defensive end since his departure.
Despite having reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, plus Jarrett Allen when he is available, the Suns currently have a better defensive rating (113.6) than Cleveland (113.9).
Yes that gap is tiny, but consider the Suns are working with a supposed crock in Mark Williams at the center position, while coach Ott has also had great success plugging Grayson Allen and even Collin Gillespie into his defensive schemes.
That kind of planning is being missed by the Cavaliers, and they look foolish for letting him walk. The cherry on top here for Phoenix is the synergy that hiring coach Ott has brought the franchise.
He's clearly aligned with General Manager Brian Gregory and superstar Devin Booker, while owner Mat Ishbia finally appears to be avoiding the pitfalls that plagued the early years of his tenure.
Coach Ott deserves all the love for how he is bringing this Suns group along, but the team that he left behind are floundering and that is being talked about a lot less.