According to ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania, the Phoenix Suns have narrowed their search for a head coach to two candidates. Once owner Mat Ishbia meets with both candidates, the team could conclude its search by the end of the week.
Suns Head Coaching Search Narrows To Two Candidates
Sources have told ESPN that the two candidates vying for the Suns’ job are Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott, both assistants for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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
Both would represent a rookie at the helm; however, both are vastly experienced coaches for a number of different organizations and are well-respected within the league for unlocking some of the game’s best players.
Johnnie Bryant
Bryant has served as an assistant to the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks before joining the Cavs. He’s one of the best assistants around, in terms of player development, and has been a rising star in coaching circles.
Current Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell swears by him and has credited him with helping to unlock his All-NBA talent back in Utah. This served as another reason why Bryant joined Kenny Atkinson’s staff in Cleveland to reunite with Mitchell, serving as his confidant and credited with unlocking their leadership potential.
When the Knicks hired him to be part of Tom Thibodeau’s staff in 2020, it represented a significant addition for the team. While Thibodeau headed the Knicks’ resurgence, winning Coach of the Year, behind the scenes, Bryant did some remarkable development work with both guard Immanuel Quickley and forward Julius Randle. Many at the time had him pegged as the future Knicks coach if Thibs chose to retire.
According to Knicks insider, Stefan Bondy of the NY Post, Quickley called him “one of the smartest coaches.” Quickley went from an unheralded prospect to a key Knicks contributor and fan favorite before his trade to Toronto in 2023.
Furthermore, Randle, before starring for the Minnesota Timberwolves, credited some of his All-NBA seasons in New York to Bryant for overseeing a mental makeover in 2023.
Jordan Ott
Ott has served on the staffs of the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles Lakers. He also served as a video coordinator for Michigan State’s men’s basketball program.
He’s equally known as an excellent player developer due to his attention to detail. Recently, he’s been credited with developing forward Evan Mobley and helping him reach an All-NBA level this season.
Overall, both candidates, particularly Ott as the lead assistant, helped the Cavs lead the league in both net and offensive ranks.
Who’s the Favorite to Land the Suns’ HC Job?
According to Mark Stein, Devin Booker is part of the Suns’ coaching search.
Sunday night update on the Phoenix Suns’ coaching search: https://t.co/lJvi7u576d pic.twitter.com/gY5jIVIZbc
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 2, 2025
Due to the plan to build around him and make him their cornerstone, Bryant’s experience in helping players like Randle and Mitchell become leaders, as well as unlocking a similar elite scoring guard in Mitchell, makes him the standout candidate, although both have great reputations. It all comes down to this week’s meetings.
The Suns are seeking their fourth coach in as many years. They desperately need some stability within the organization and patience with whichever rookie coach they choose.
