A day after NBA insider Marc Stein reported that at least two Phoenix Suns coaching finalists would advance to a one-on-one meeting with Mat Ishbia, ESPN's Shams Charania revealed the two finalists. Cavaliers' assistants Jordan Ott or Johnnie Bryant will fill the head coach vacancy.
Phoenix wants a young, first-time head coach, labels that apply to Ott and Bryant. The former was an assistant coach for the Nets (2018-2022) and the Lakers (2022-24) before joining the Cavaliers this past season under Kenny Atkinson. Bryant is Cleveland's associate coach, having previously served in the same role with the Knicks. Bryant joined New York via Utah, where he was an assistant with the Jazz and formed a close relationship with Cavaliers star guard Donovan Mitchell.
Ott has a clear upper hand over Bryant entering their meetings with Ishbia. A few weeks ago, the Suns demoted James Jones and promoted Brian Gregory to general manager. Ishbia and Gregory have a relationship that dates back to the former's time as a walk-on at Michigan State when the latter was an assistant on Tom Izzo's staff. Ott earned his master's degree from MSU and served as a video coordinator for the men's basketball program.
It's not as if Ott is a random person who went to Michigan State who lacks the necessary experience to be an NBA head coach -- he does. However, fans are understandably concerned that Ishbia is prioritizing his MSU connection above all else.
Michigan State alum Jordan Ott is finalist to be Suns' head coach
Ishbia's comments after Phoenix's 2024-25 season ring more true than ever (subscription required):
“You can talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers. You kind of know what they mean when you talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Or even my old team, Michigan State basketball. You kind of know what you’re going to get when you talk about Michigan State basketball. What is Phoenix Suns basketball? That’s on me. That’s a change that’s coming, and it will be undeniable."
Ishbia's vision for the Suns must be to turn them into the Michigan State of the NBA. He's right in the sense that everyone knows what to expect from a program like Michigan State, but the NBA is a different ballgame. Promoting Gregory to GM was a risky move, one that could backfire like several of the other decisions Ishbia has made since becoming the majority owner in 2023.
If Ott is hired, the MSU connection will be one of the main talking points, but that doesn't mean fans should automatically be against the hire. It'll be up to Ott to prove himself to the point where the Michigan State label doesn't matter.
Ott seems to be the favorite, but don't overlook Bryant. He played for the University of Utah, but his NBA credentials are impressive. He was a favorite in New York, but wasn't going to get his first head coach gig with the Knicks. He has interviewed for several head coaching jobs in the past, and perhaps he'll be the one to come out on top in Phoenix.