The Phoenix Suns continue to ramp up preparations for the 2025-26 regular season, with a pair of preseason contests versus the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets a chance for first time head coach Jordan Ott to get to grips with his roster and rotations. With three rookies now in The Valley - including a potential matchup problem for LeBron James - there is plenty of intrigue here.
Coach Ott will be given the time by owner Mat Ishbia to try and get this right, and we know this because Ishbia himself at media day recently spoke about the need for patience and to build this version of the Suns from the ground up. If this does go sideways quickly however, a Suns' legend could be waiting in the wings.
Tom Thibodeau spotted at Suns' training camp.
Interestingly another former head coach - and two-time Coach of the Year winner - was recently seen in attendance in The Valley, with none other than Tom Thibodeau stopping by to check in on the team. Thibs was last with the New York Knicks, who let him go despite getting that franchise all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Thibs is here again. Chatting it up with Oso. pic.twitter.com/z4sqRHH31Z
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) September 27, 2025
Although some could say this is yet another reason for coach Ott to be fearful for his long-term prospects in Phoenix, that is not the way we are choosing to look at it. Yes there are only 30 top gigs and a lifer like Thibodeau surely wants to get back in as soon as the next opportunity arises. Who wouldn't want to coach Devin Booker and a roster with lower expectations right now either?
But with Thibodeau confirmed to have been present at more than one day of practice, the hope here is that he is imparting some defensive wisdom on the young players. As you can see from the video above, spending some time with second year prospect Oso Ighodaro would appear to be an excellent move for the youngster.
If the Suns can get their own draft picks to improve at an accelerated rate - particularly on the defensive end where coach Ott wants to build his identity - then the Suns are going to surprise some people this coming season. Unfortunately for Phoenix Thibodeau does not appear to be helping just them as a coching free agent, as he always surfaced at L.A. Clippers' camp too.
Which adds another bow to a budding rivalry between the two given Bradley Beal's decision to jump ship to there and Chris Paul signing with them as well having apparently been turned down by the Suns. Any time coach Ott and the group can get with Thibodeau is valuable however, so here is hoping that is not the last sighting this season.