The Phoenix Suns cutting ties with Kevin Durant last offseason was scary, but they followed it up by quickly figuring out the toughest part of their re-tooling process.
Hiring a first time head coach in Jordan Ott was risky, but his maiden season with the organization proved nailing that selection was the foundation on which to build.
Coach Ott will be there when Suns win big again
We have seen with the constant chopping and changing of head coaches how important it is to get stability at that position, while superstar buy-in is equally as important.
We know Devin Booker has been behind coach Ott from day one, and only had great things to say about the stability which he had brought to the position during end of season exit interviews.
This offseason could be one in which the franchise make moves around Booker (they have to go all in and win during his prime years), while Dillon Brooks may not be extended either.
With Mark Williams also due an extension on his rookie contract and Jalen Green mentioned as a trade candidate often, it is highly likely this roster will look different come opening night of 2026-27.
So having a head coach already there to build on a surprise playoff appearance and who hopefully will have a deeper roster to work with is a relief for Phoenix to have figured out.
The playoffs are not even halfway done, and already we have seen the Orlando Magic can their own leading man in Jamahl Mosley.
The Philadelphia 76ers ditched their General Manager and architect in Daryl Morey, while everybody from JJ Redick to Chris Finch could also find themselves on the chopping block.
But there will be no such noise around the Suns, who have a coach in place who everybody from the front office to Booker, Brooks and company are happy with.
Imagine if the Suns had stumbled through the campaign with Mike Budenholzer or somebody else in charge, winning 25 games and failing to make the playoffs with little draft capital coming down the road.
It would be panic stations in The Valley, yet because of coach Ott being able to get the most out of this roster and be competitive every night, the outlook is much better.
Yes you might need that foundational star in order to rise up the standings, but without the right head coach you're never going to get over the hump. The Suns fixed that problem last summer.
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