The Phoenix Suns have narrowed their coaching search to two Cleveland Cavaliers assistants, Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Both candidates are set to meet with team owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and new general manager Brian Gregory this week.
Bryant and Ott completed their first seasons on the Cleveland coaching staff under head coach Kenny Atkinson, who was named NBA Coach of the Year. The Cavaliers achieved the Eastern Conference’s best record at 64-18 and ranked first in offensive rating and eighth defensively.
The Suns’ head-coaching position has been vacant since Mike Budenholzer’s firing on April 14. Phoenix finished 11th in the West with a 36-46 record, 13th in offensive rating, and fourth-worst defensively.
With the Suns likely to hire an assistant as their new head coach, all five NBA head coach openings this season will be filled by first-time coaches. However, Phoenix is the only team that conducted a full search; the other four promoted interim coaches.
Bryant or Ott will be Phoenix’s third head coach in three seasons since Ishbia became the team’s majority owner in December 2022. Prior to joining the Cavaliers, Bryant was an associate head coach with the New York Knicks and spent 10 years with the Utah Jazz. Ott was an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets, and a video coordinator at Michigan State.
The Suns initially considered eight candidates, including current assistant David Fizdale, Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn, Dallas Mavericks’ Sean Sweeney, and Oklahoma City Thunder assistant Dave Bliss.
Devin Booker has been involved in the coaching search, suggesting the Suns intend to retain their second-leading scorer. Booker, signed for three more seasons, is expected to receive a two-year, $149.8 million extension this summer. Last season, he averaged 25.6 points and 7.1 assists per game.