The Phoenix Suns are still searching for their next head coach, and the recent news about their pursuit isn't encouraging.
On Sunday, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that at least two of the candidates that GM Brian Gregory spoke with are expected to move on to a "face-to-face" meeting with Mat Ishbia (subscription required). On Monday morning, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Cavaliers' Jordan Ott and Johnnie Bryant are the two finalists.
The Phoenix Suns have narrowed their head coaching search to two finalists from the Cleveland Cavaliers, associate coach Johnnie Bryant and assistant Jordan Ott, sources tell ESPN. Both will meet with Suns owner Mat Ishbia in Michigan ahead of a hiring as soon as later this week. pic.twitter.com/6JSG8EiuaU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 2, 2025
Suns fans know what's worrisome about that news. Since becoming the majority owner in 2023, Ishbia has made a series of questionable decisions. He orchestrated the trade for Kevin Durant that sent several first-round picks to the Nets (along with Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson), and traded for Bradley Beal and his terrible contract a few months later. Ishbia has hired and fired three head coaches in three consecutive years. He was responsible for promoting Gregory to GM, although the former college head coach had spent only one season in an NBA front office.
Ishbia having the final say in who will be Phoenix's head coach isn't reassuring, to say the least. The Suns team, which was once full of promise, is no more due to Ishbia's decisions. There's the chance he could continue the trend of hiring another person with whom he shares a Michigan State connection (Ott). Being an MSU product doesn't disqualify Ott from being a good head coach, but the decision could serve as further proof that Ishbia is unfit to make major organizational decisions.
Suns coaching candidates will meet one-on-one with Mat Ishbia
The good thing about Ishbia is that he isn't afraid to spend money, but on the other hand, that has hurt the Suns. They had the most expensive roster in the league this past season, but nothing to show for it other than disappointment. He's said numerous times that he wants to turn Phoenix into a contender, but actions speak louder than words.
The Suns want a young, first-time head coach, which is a positive. Ishbia knows the organization needs a culture change. Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer arrived in Phoenix a few years after winning a championship, but that ultimately meant nothing. The Suns are headed in a new direction, taking their time to find the right fit. Or, at least that's what they're trying to do. Whether that'll happen is a different story.
As Charania reported, the coaching saga will soon come to a close, perhaps as soon as later this week. Fans can only hope that whoever is selected will be the right fit for the direction Phoenix needs to take. Don't mess this up, Ishbia.