After a season where they missed the playoffs and fired another coach, the Phoenix Suns have found a new leader and, as per ESPN on Wednesday, are hiring Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as their new head coach.
Ott joined the Cavaliers last summer to work as an assistant under Kenny Atkinson, and the team had a 64-18 record during the 2024-25 regular season to finish as the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Just In: The Phoenix Suns are hiring Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as the franchise’s new head coach, sources tell ESPN. Ott has been an NBA assistant since 2012 and has a strong background of offensive and defensive creativity, player development and communication. pic.twitter.com/doDE6Fahdj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2025
He previously worked as a video coordinator for the Atlanta Hawks (2013-2016) before being hired by the Brooklyn Nets (2016-2022) and Los Angeles Lakers (2022-2024) as an assistant coach.
According to reports, the 40-year-old and Johnnie Bryant, another Cavaliers assistant coach, were the two finalists for the head coach position, but the Suns’ hierarchy have opted to hire Ott after a series of sit-downs.
Phoenix parted ways with head coach Mike Budenholzer at the end of the regular season. He led the team to a 36-46 record as they finished just outside the postseason spots in 11th in his only season handling the Suns.
Ott will become the 23rd head coach in franchise history and will work with owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and general manager Brian Gregory to build a formidable roster for the new season.
